Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has decided not to visit Yasukuni Shrine on August 15, the anniversary of the end of World War II. Instead, he will make a private offering using his own money as the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party. This was confirmed by sources on August 8.
When asked, Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi declined to comment as a cabinet member but said he would make a personal decision on the matter.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said both he and the Prime Minister would make appropriate decisions regarding visiting the shrine or making offerings.
Several other ministers have clearly stated they do not plan to visit the shrine, including:
- Internal Affairs Minister Seiichiro Murakami
- Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya
- Education Minister Toshiko Abe
- Transport Minister Hiroaki Nakano
- Digital Minister Masanobu Taira
- Children’s Policy Minister Junko Mihara
- Okinawa Affairs Minister Yoshitaka Ito
by MagazineKey4532