Japan PM Takaichi Sends Yasukuni Offering as China and South Korea Protest

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent a ritual offering to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, while Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Economic Security Minister Kimi Onoda visited the shrine as Japan marked the 81st anniversary of the end of World War II. 

Japanese officials' visits and offerings at Yasukuni Shrine on the 81st anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender drew protests from China and South Korea.

China strongly condemned the actions and lodged a formal protest with Japan. South Korea also expressed "deep regret" over the visits and offerings by senior Japanese officials, saying Japan's leaders should demonstrate sincere reflection on the country's wartime history. 

Yasukuni Shrine honors approximately 2.5 million Japanese war dead, including 14 Class-A war criminals convicted by Allied tribunals after World War II.

Visits by senior Japanese officials have repeatedly caused diplomatic tensions with China and South Korea, which view the shrine as a symbol of Japan's wartime aggression. 

Takaichi did not personally visit the shrine but sent the ritual offering. Her decision to refrain from visiting was significant because she had visited Yasukuni several times before becoming prime minister.