# Japanese defence minister visits war shrine, angering China and South Korea

https://mins.news/en/item/22919

- Al Jazeera, 2026-08-15 11:09 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/15/japanese-minister-visits-shrine-to-war-dead-angering-china-south-korea?traffic_source=rss

> Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited Yasukuni Shrine on the 81st anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, drawing strong criticism from China and South Korea. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi did not attend but reportedly sent an offering. The shrine honours war dead including 14 convicted wartime leaders.

## Related coverage

- [Yasukuni’s ghost: Japan’s self-inflicted wound](https://mins.news/en/item/23288) — CGTN, 2026-08-15
- [Japan defence minister visits contentious Yasukuni Shrine to war dead](https://mins.news/en/item/22738) — Reuters, 2026-08-15
