April 23, 2026 | 06:14 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Japanese police said they arrested a South Korean national holding a banner carrying political messages on Wednesday for allegedly obstructing an annual spring festival at Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine.
The shrine honors Japan's 2.5 million war dead, including convicted criminals.
Victims of Japanese aggression and imperialism before and during World War II, especially China and the Koreas, often perceive visits to the shrine as demonstrating a lack of remorse about Japan's wartime past.
The 64-year-old held up a banner carrying messages including one urging "war criminals" to stop praying at the shrine, and another making territorial claims on an island disputed between Japan and South Korea.
According to the Japanese Kyodo news agency, the man stood at the main gate in front of the shrine in front of vehicles that were carrying messengers from the emperor. The shrine's website said that the messengers were delivering offerings from the emperor, who did not attend the politically sensitive event in person.
Prime Minister Takaichi steers clear in her new role, but large delegation of lawmakers attend
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a conservative who would regularly pray at the shrine in the past before graduating to the top job, for the second time sent a religious ornament and offering instead of visiting in person.
This nevertheless prompted criticism from China and South Korea. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman described the shrine as a "spiritual instrument and symbol of the wars of aggression launched by Japanese militarism."
A South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson, meanwhile, expressed "deep disappointment and regret."
"Our government urges Japan's responsible leaders to face history squarely and to demonstrate, through action, a humble reflection on and a sincere remorse for its past," spokesman Park Il told reporters.
No Japanese prime minister has visited the shrine since 2013, when Shinzo Abe doing so prompted severe criticism from Beijing and Seoul — as well as a rare rebuke from the US.
But while Japan's emperor and prime ministers tend to avoid the site, lawmakers regularly pay homage in person. According to Kyodo, a delegation of more than 120 lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) visited the Tokyo shrine on Wednesday.
Although separate from the main group, Cabinet member Minoru Kiuchi, the minister of economic and fiscal policy, also attended the three-day spring festival, telling reporters he had offered his "sincere gratitude, with deep reverence, to the spirits of heroes who gave their precious lives for the nation."
A veteran LDP member of the House of Representatives, Ichiro Aisawa, led the group and told reporters: "The many war dead laid the foundation for a peaceful and prosperous Japan."
"We must firmly pass down the memories and records of war to keep them from fading," he said.
This year's ceremony comes as Japan under Takaichi continues its process of loosening its restrictions on military activity, weapons exports and other such issues established following its defeat in World War II.
Read: Is It Safe to Travel to Japan After Latest M7.7 Earthquake?
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Today's Top 3 News: Lyrid Meteor Shower Peaks April 22, Visible Across Night Sky
11 jam lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
Today's Top 3 News: Tsunami Threat Eases After Powerful 7.7 Earthquake in Japan
1 hari lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
IAEA Assures Safety of Japan Nuclear Sites After Strong Earthquake
1 hari lalu
IAEA stated that there was no disruption to Japan's nuclear facilities following a powerful earthquake and tsunami warning on Monday.
KBRI Tokyo Issues Advisory After Japan's Powerful Earthquake
1 hari lalu
The Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Tokyo is monitoring the safety of citizens following Japan's powerful earthquake and tsunami in Iwate Prefecture.
Is It Safe to Travel to Japan After Latest M7.7 Earthquake?
1 hari lalu
Following a powerful offshore quake and Tsunami alert on Monday, is it safe to travel to Japan at this time? See the current situation, here.
Japan Warns of Bigger Quake After 7.7-Magnitude Earthquake, Tsunami Threat
1 hari lalu
Authorities have warned residents in northeastern Japan to prepare for a potentially larger earthquake following 7.7-magnitude earthquake on Monday.
Tsunami Threat Eases After Powerful 7.7 Earthquake in Japan
2 hari lalu
The tsunami warning after the powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Japan was later downgraded to an advisory as the immediate threat eased.
Japan Issues Tsunami Alert After Strong Earthquake
2 hari lalu
The 7.4-magnitude earthquake off northern Iwate prefecture could be felt as far as Tokyo. Residents have been urged to evacuate ahead of a tsunami.
Japan, NATO Deepen Global Security Ties
5 hari lalu
Japan's foreign minister said Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security are "inseparable."
Japan to Release More Oil Reserves as Middle East Conflict Persists
11 hari lalu
Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi confirms the release of 20 days of strategic oil reserves in May to stabilize energy supplies amid Middle East tensions.
