Blast damages public restroom at Japan's controversial Yasukuni shrine for war dead

An apparent explosion at Japan’s controversial Yasukuni Shrine for the war dead in Tokyo on Monday damaged the ceiling and the wall of a public bathroom near the south gate of the shrine. No one was injured.

Yasukuni has been the target of criticism from Japan's neighbours, including China and South Korea, which suffered atrocities and aggression during the second world war.

Fire fighters received a call to put out a small fire Monday morning that damaged the ceiling and walls of the restroom, said an official at the Tokyo Fire Department. But the fire was out by the time they arrived. He declined to elaborate.

It was unclear what caused the explosion. TBS TV news said police suspect foul play, and batteries and wirings that may be part of an explosive device were found. Police will be reviewing footage on security cameras for clues on who might be behind the explosion, TBS said.

Tokyo metropolitan police declined comment as the case was still under investigation. The person in charge of media at Yasukuni was out and not immediately available for comment.