Beijing 22 April 2026 (The Capital Post) – China and South Korea have expressed strong objections to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s ritual offering to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, escalating diplomatic tensions over historical issues in East Asia.
China’s Foreign Ministry condemned the move, saying it strongly opposes any actions that honour the shrine, which Beijing views as a symbol of Japan’s wartime militarism. Officials in Beijing said such gestures undermine regional trust and hurt the sentiments of countries affected by Japan’s wartime past.
South Korea also voiced regret over the offering, urging Japanese leaders to face history with sincerity and demonstrate remorse for past actions. Seoul’s foreign ministry stressed that gestures linked to Yasukuni continue to hinder efforts to build forward-looking relations between the two neighbours.
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The controversy stems from Takaichi sending a ritual “masakaki” tree offering to the shrine during its spring festival. The shrine is known for honouring Japan’s war dead, including convicted war criminals, making it a longstanding source of friction between Japan and its neighbours.
The incident adds further strain to already sensitive regional diplomacy, with both China and South Korea reiterating their opposition to official tributes associated with the site.-The Capital Post