Japan marked the anniversary of its defeat in World War II on Thursday with a visit by three ministers to the Yasukuni Shrine, which remains debatable among its Asian neighbors who see it as a symbol of Japanese wartime aggression. Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and Economic Security Minister Sanae. Takaichi and economic revitalization chief Yasutaka Shindo were among the officials who led the Tokyo siege.
The shrine pays tribute to 2. 5 million people killed in the war, in addition to 14 convicted war criminals, such as Prime Minister Hideki Tojo in wartime. During the ceremony, Kihara expressed his condolences to those who sacrificed their lives, comments that were broadcast on national television.
The progression follows recent talks between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and US President Joe Biden aimed at strengthening security ties. Japan’s no-nonsense government spokesman, Yoshimasa Hayashi, noted that the ministers visited the shrine in their personal capacity and emphasized that this was not a government matter.
(With agencies. )