Japanese Defense Minister and LDP Executives Visit Yasukuni Shrine on Liberation Day: "An Anachronistic Provocation"

Defense Minister Koizumi Visits Yasukuni Shrine for Seventh Consecutive Year
Democratic Party Urges "Break Free from the Specter of Imperialism"
Opposition Also Says "Korea-Japan Trust Undermined... Deep Regret"

The Democratic Party of Korea condemned the visit by Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and other cabinet ministers, as well as Liberal Democratic Party executives, to Yasukuni Shrine on August 15—which marks Korea's Liberation Day and Japan's Defeat in World War II Day—as an "anachronistic provocation." Lawmakers from the opposition People Power Party also voiced criticism, with one stating, "We express our deep regret."

Shinjiro Koizumi, Japan's Minister of Defense, is visiting the Yasukuni Shrine on the morning of August 15, Korea's Liberation Day and Japan's defeat anniversary. He has done so for seven consecutive years as a current Japanese cabinet member. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Jun Sumi, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, stated in a written briefing on this day, "At this critical time, when we must reflect deeply on the lessons of history, for the Takaichi Cabinet and the Liberal Democratic Party leadership to visit Yasukuni Shrine is an anachronistic provocation," adding, "It is truly an irresponsible act."

Jun went on to say, "For the Defense Minister, who is responsible for safeguarding peace, and the Minister for Children’s Policies, who is entrusted with fostering future generations, to bow before war criminals is a self-contradiction in which they trample on the universal values of human rights and peace, trapped in a distorted patriotism centered on their own nation." Jun further warned, "We call on the Takaichi Cabinet to immediately halt this historical regression represented by the visits to Yasukuni Shrine," stressing, "They must break away from the outdated specter of imperialism and demonstrate a sincere apology to the victims through their actions."

Kim Daesik, a member of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee for the opposition and known as an expert on Japan, addressed the Defense Minister's visit on his personal social media (Facebook), saying, "The trust built at the National Cemetery must not be undermined at Yasukuni." Regarding the visit, he also declared, "I express my deep regret."

He continued, "On June 27, Defense Minister Koizumi visited the Seoul National Cemetery and announced his intention to further deepen Korea-Japan defense cooperation," emphasizing, "Today's visit, less than two months later, undermines the hard-earned trust between the two countries." Kim added, "Responsible leaders in Japan must confront the history of aggression and show genuine remorse through actions, not just words," urging, "Our government must also deliver a clear and firm stance to the Japanese side."

On the 15th, Suzuki Ichi, Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party (center), Haruko Arimura, Chair of the General Council (left), and Yasutoshi Nishimura, Election Strategy Committee Chairman (right), collectively paid a visit to Yasukuni Shrine that morning. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On this day, marking both Korea's Liberation Day and Japan's defeat in World War II, Defense Minister Koizumi and several other ministers directly visited Yasukuni Shrine. Defense Minister Koizumi, as a current Japanese cabinet member, has visited the shrine on the anniversary of Japan’s defeat for seven consecutive years. Major foreign news outlets such as the Associated Press also took note of Koizumi's actions. It has been two years since a sitting Defense Minister visited the shrine on Japan’s defeat day, following Defense Minister Minoru Kihara in 2024. Even last year, while serving as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Koizumi visited the shrine on the anniversary of defeat.

Key executives of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, including Secretary General Junichi Suzuki, General Affairs Committee Chair Haruko Arimura, and Election Strategy Committee Chair Yastoshi Nishimura, also visited Yasukuni Shrine in succession. Their group visit to the shrine on the anniversary of defeat is viewed as unusual.

However, contrary to earlier speculation, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi did not visit Yasukuni Shrine but instead offered a ritual monetary donation in her capacity as the Liberal Democratic Party president. Although Prime Minister Takaichi, known for her conservative leanings, has visited the shrine several times as party leader, it appears that she decided not to visit as Prime Minister this year out of consideration for opposition from countries such as Korea and China.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.