No Japanese minister visits Yasukuni on war-end anniversary

August 16, 2017

TOKYO- No Japanese minister visited Tokyo's war-related Yasukuni Shrine on Tuesday, the 72nd anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II, marking the first such total absence since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe returned to power in December 2012.

Abe, also president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, made a "tamagushi" ritual offering without visiting the Shinto shrine, for the fifth consecutive year, apparently showing consideration for China and South Korea amid escalating tension over North Korea.

The shrine, which honors the war dead, including convicted war criminals, is regarded by China and South Korea as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.

Abe's ritual offering was made through Masahiko Shibayama, a special aide to the LDP president. "Under instructions from our president, I paid tribute to the spirits of the people who sacrificed themselves in the war and renewed my wish for lasting peace," Shibayama told reporters at the shrine.

Three ministers visited the shrine on the anniversary each in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and two ministers in 2016.

Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Seiko Noda, who took office earlier this month as part of Abe's cabinet reshuffle, has regularly visited the shrine on the war-end anniversary, including the periods when she was serving as posts and telecommunications minister and as consumer affairs minister.

Noda told a press conference on Tuesday that she is working hard as a cabinet minister, putting aside her personal wish.Jiji Press