Topic
Yasukuni Shrine, located in Tokyo, Japan, is dedicated to over 2,466,000 Japanese soldiers and servicemen who died fighting on behalf of the Emperor of Japan in the last 150 years. It also houses one of the few Japanese war museums dedicated to World War II.The shrine is at the center of an international controversy by honoring war criminals convicted by a post World War II court including 14 'Class A' war criminals. Japanese politicians, including prime ministers and cabinet members have paid visits to Yasukuni Shrine in recent years which caused criticism and protests from China, Korea, and Taiwan.
TOPIC
Yasukuni Shrine, located in Tokyo, Japan, is dedicated to over 2,466,000 Japanese soldiers and servicemen who died fighting on behalf of the Emperor of Japan in the last 150 years. It also houses one of the few Japanese war museums dedicated to World War II.The shrine is at the center of an international controversy by honoring war criminals convicted by a post World War II court including 14 'Class A' war criminals. Japanese politicians, including prime ministers and cabinet members have paid visits to Yasukuni Shrine in recent years which caused criticism and protests from China, Korea, and Taiwan.
- The shrine is seen by China and South Korea as a symbol of Japan’s past military aggression as it honours wartime leaders convicted as war criminals
- Abe, who was replaced this week by Yoshihide Suga, had not been there since a 2013 pilgrimage prompted outrage
From a turn as Super Mario to a visit to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, here are some of the key moments of Abe’s record-breaking time in office.
From a turn as Super Mario to a visit to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, here are some of the key moments of Abe’s record-breaking time in office.
PM Shinzo Abe vowed ‘never to repeat the tragedy’ on 75th anniversary of Japan’s surrender but sent an offering to controversial Yasukuni Shrine.
PM Shinzo Abe vowed ‘never to repeat the tragedy’ on 75th anniversary of Japan’s surrender but sent an offering to controversial Yasukuni Shrine.
He will miss the ceremony for the 75th anniversary of Tokyo’s WWII surrender at the controversial shrine, which also honours Class A war criminals.
He will miss the ceremony for the 75th anniversary of Tokyo’s WWII surrender at the controversial shrine, which also honours Class A war criminals.
Alex Kwok and Yim Man-wa were convicted by a Tokyo court in October and given suspended jail sentences of eight and six months respectively.
Alex Kwok and Yim Man-wa were convicted by a Tokyo court in October and given suspended jail sentences of eight and six months respectively.
Nakasone served as prime minister from 1982 to 1987, boosting Japan’s global profile, but he battled to enact sweeping reforms at home.
Nakasone served as prime minister from 1982 to 1987, boosting Japan’s global profile, but he battled to enact sweeping reforms at home.
Cabinet member Seiichi Eto pays his respects to the nation’s war dead at site seen abroad as symbol of Japan’s past militarism.
Cabinet member Seiichi Eto pays his respects to the nation’s war dead at site seen abroad as symbol of Japan’s past militarism.
The man threw an ink-like liquid on a curtain at one of the buildings of Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine that honours Japanese war criminals, police said.
The man threw an ink-like liquid on a curtain at one of the buildings of Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine that honours Japanese war criminals, police said.
Alex Kwok and Yim Man-wa have been held in Japan since being arrested for trespassing after they burned symbolic tablet of country’s wartime leader. Academic in question cannot be named for fear Tokyo will deny him entry, source says.
Alex Kwok and Yim Man-wa have been held in Japan since being arrested for trespassing after they burned symbolic tablet of country’s wartime leader. Academic in question cannot be named for fear Tokyo will deny him entry, source says.
Trial could begin in February, according to duo’s lawyer, who earlier said they could be released on December 28.
Trial could begin in February, according to duo’s lawyer, who earlier said they could be released on December 28.
Police can only detain pair till December 28, but immigration authority has stepped in and questioned their aim of entering Japan.
Police can only detain pair till December 28, but immigration authority has stepped in and questioned their aim of entering Japan.
Lawyers for Alex Kwok and Yim Man-wa argue act of burning tablet condemning war criminal is protected by country’s freedom of speech.
Lawyers for Alex Kwok and Yim Man-wa argue act of burning tablet condemning war criminal is protected by country’s freedom of speech.
Man arrested after demonstrator sets fire to ancestral tablet and displays banner reading: ‘Lest we forget the Nanking massacre’.
Man arrested after demonstrator sets fire to ancestral tablet and displays banner reading: ‘Lest we forget the Nanking massacre’.
The Yasukuni Shrine has been a regular source of tension between Japan and its regional neighbours – it honours 2.5 million war dead but also enshrines war criminals
The Yasukuni Shrine has been a regular source of tension between Japan and its regional neighbours – it honours 2.5 million war dead but also enshrines war criminals
The visit by the multi-party group comes a day after PM Shinzo Abe made a ritual offering to the shrine but did not visit in person.
The visit by the multi-party group comes a day after PM Shinzo Abe made a ritual offering to the shrine but did not visit in person.
Some members of an influential group that represents families of Japanese war dead are urging managers of a controversial Tokyo shrine to remove the names of 14 convicted war criminals, an official said yesterday.
Some members of an influential group that represents families of Japanese war dead are urging managers of a controversial Tokyo shrine to remove the names of 14 convicted war criminals, an official said yesterday.
The Foreign Ministry in Beijing last night lodged a protest with the Japanese embassy over a visit by three Japanese cabinet ministers to the controversial Yasukuni war shrine, Japanese diplomats said.
The Foreign Ministry in Beijing last night lodged a protest with the Japanese embassy over a visit by three Japanese cabinet ministers to the controversial Yasukuni war shrine, Japanese diplomats said.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shook hands with Premier Li Keqiang in Milan yesterday, despite a mass visit by Japanese lawmakers to a controversial war shrine in Tokyo.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shook hands with Premier Li Keqiang in Milan yesterday, despite a mass visit by Japanese lawmakers to a controversial war shrine in Tokyo.
Dozens of Japanese politicians, possibly including cabinet ministers, are poised to visit a Tokyo shrine condemned by China and South Korea as a symbol of Tokyo's militarist past, as it begins its autumn festival this week.
Dozens of Japanese politicians, possibly including cabinet ministers, are poised to visit a Tokyo shrine condemned by China and South Korea as a symbol of Tokyo's militarist past, as it begins its autumn festival this week.
Japan’s Shinzo Abe offered a gift to the controversial Yasukuni war shrine on Monday, but reportedly plans to stay away during the spring festival, in an apparent compromise between not angering Asian neighbours and playing to his nationalist base.
Japan’s Shinzo Abe offered a gift to the controversial Yasukuni war shrine on Monday, but reportedly plans to stay away during the spring festival, in an apparent compromise between not angering Asian neighbours and playing to his nationalist base.
A Japanese cabinet minister visited a Tokyo war shrine that honours executed war criminals in a move that could reignite tensions with Japan's neighbours ahead of US President Barack Obama's Asian tour.
A Japanese cabinet minister visited a Tokyo war shrine that honours executed war criminals in a move that could reignite tensions with Japan's neighbours ahead of US President Barack Obama's Asian tour.
The conservative Japanese daily the Yomiuri Shimbun has accused China of dragging Japan into a media "cold war" and trying to alienate it from the international community.
The conservative Japanese daily the Yomiuri Shimbun has accused China of dragging Japan into a media "cold war" and trying to alienate it from the international community.
I believe it is necessary to reduce unnecessary misunderstanding and friction, and it is also important to conduct a candid exchange of views to build mutual understanding and trust between the two countries.
I believe it is necessary to reduce unnecessary misunderstanding and friction, and it is also important to conduct a candid exchange of views to build mutual understanding and trust between the two countries.
China and Japan should resume talks on establishing a maritime defence communication mechanism and other practical issues, Japan's Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told the South China Morning Post.
China and Japan should resume talks on establishing a maritime defence communication mechanism and other practical issues, Japan's Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told the South China Morning Post.