Japan’s defense chief visits shrine neighbors see as symbol of Japanese militarism

TOKYO (AP) — The Japanese defense minister on Saturday prayed at Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, seen by Japan’s Asian neighbors as a symbol of the country’s past militarism. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, despite her repeated past pledges for a visit on the day marking Japan’s surrender, is expected to stay away to avoid diplomatic tensions.

Visits by Japanese politicians to the shrine, which also commemorates World War II criminals, have been criticized by China and South Korea. They see it as a move that shows their lack of remorse over Japan’s wartime atrocities.

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has regularly been at the controversial shrine to mark Japan’s anniversary of the end of the war on Aug. 15 and other occasions. But as a defense minister pushing to increase Japan’s military capability and weapons sales under Takaichi’s hawkish government, his visit Saturday is seen as more contentious.

Koizumi did not comment on the visit and walked past journalists at the shrine.

He is the son of popular former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who outraged China when he visited Yasukuni as a serving leader in 2006.