Minister Minoru Kiuchi and Over 120 Lawmakers Visit Yasukuni Shrine Amid High Regional Tensions

Over 120 Japanese lawmakers and Minister Minoru Kiuchi visited Yasukuni Shrine, while PM Sanae Takaichi sent offerings amid strained regional diplomacy.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 22, 2026, 3:05 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from local media reports in Tokyo and Japan Today.

Mass Visitation to Controversial Landmark During Spring Rites

On Wednesday, a cross-party group exceeding 120 Japanese legislators conducted a collective visit to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, timed with the site's ongoing three-day spring festival. This gathering serves as a recurring point of diplomatic contention, as the shrine honors approximately 2.4 million war dead alongside 14 Class-A war criminals convicted by a post-World War II tribunal. Ichiro Aisawa, a veteran member of the House of Representatives and leader of the visiting group, characterized the visit as an act of remembrance, stating that the war dead established the foundation for the nation's current prosperity and peace.

First Cabinet Presence Under the Takaichi Administration

The visit marked a significant milestone for the government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, as Minoru Kiuchi, the Minister of Economic and Fiscal Policy, visited the site independently. Kiuchi’s presence represents the first confirmed appearance by a cabinet member since the start of the festival on Tuesday. Following his visit, Kiuchi informed reporters that his intention was to offer sincere gratitude to the individuals who sacrificed their lives for the nation. Other high-ranking officials from the Liberal Democratic Party, including policy chief Takayuki Kobayashi, were also among those who paid their respects in person.

Prime Minister Takaichi Navigates Diplomatic Friction

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, traditionally a regular visitor to the shrine, chose to refrain from a physical visit during this festival, according to sources close to her leadership. Instead, she sent a masakaki ritual offering on Tuesday and a personal monetary contribution on Wednesday, the latter delivered by Haruko Arimura, head of the LDP’s General Council. This decision appears to be a calculated diplomatic maneuver following Takaichi’s November remarks regarding potential Japanese intervention in Taiwan, a statement that significantly strained relations with Beijing.