The Minister of the Environment of Japan pays homage to the Yasukuni Shrine, the first member of the Abe cabinet to pay homage to Japan on the day of defeat in 4 years.
[Global Network Reporter Cui Tianye] August 15 is the anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. On this day, Japanese Minister of the Environment Shinjiro Koizumi went to the Yasukuni Shrine to "worship ghosts." Japanese media noticed that the last time a member of the Abe cabinet paid homage to the Yasukuni Shrine on the day of Japan’s defeat, it dates back to 2016, four years ago.
Japan’s "Asahi Shimbun" reported on the 15th that Shinjiro Koizumi entered the Yasukuni Shrine before 8 am that morning. After about 15 minutes, his "ghost worship" ended, and he left the scene without being interviewed by the reporter.
In addition, the report also said that although Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe did not personally go to the Yasukuni Shrine to "worship ghosts", he still offered "Jade Kushiro" (sacrifice fee) to the Yasukuni Shrine through agency.
The Asahi Shimbun noticed that the last time a member of the Abe cabinet paid homage to the Yasukuni Shrine on the day of Japan’s defeat, it went back four years. On August 15, 2016, Sanae Takaichi, then the Minister of General Affairs, and Sudai Marukawa, the Minister of Olympics, went to the Yasukuni Shrine to "worship ghosts".
However, in addition to the day of defeat in Japan, at the autumn festival last year, Shinzo Abe made offerings to the Yasukuni Shrine, and individual cabinet members and some members of Congress visited the Yasukuni Shrine. During the regular festival this spring, Abe also offered sacrifices called "Masaki" to the Yasukuni Shrine in the name of "Prime Minister"; Japanese Minister of General Affairs Sanae Takaichi and Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare also offered sacrifices. Product.
Regarding Japan’s repeated sacrifices to the Yasukuni Shrine, which beautifies its war of aggression and colonial aggression, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that the South Korean government deeply regrets this and urges the Japanese leadership to face up to history, reflect on history with practical actions, and show improvement in South Korea. Willingness for Japanese relations.
Geng Shuang, the spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the time, also responded that the Yasukuni Shrine was the spiritual tool and symbol of Japanese militarism in launching a war of aggression. It enshrined 14 Class A war criminals who were seriously responsible for that war of aggression. The actions of some Japanese political leaders once again reflect Japan's wrong attitude towards the history of aggression. "We urge the Japanese side to earnestly abide by its statements and commitments of facing up to the history of aggression and reflecting on its history of aggression, and take concrete actions to win the trust of neighboring Asian countries and the international community."