What's happened
Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan's war dead, was vandalized for the second time this year. Graffiti was discovered on a stone pillar, echoing a previous incident in May. The shrine is controversial for its association with Japan's militaristic past and convicted war criminals.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Japan Times, graffiti was found on a stone pillar at Yasukuni Shrine, which included Chinese characters for 'toilet' and various English letters. This follows a similar incident in May where a suspect was arrested for spray-painting the same pillar. Sky News highlighted the shrine's controversial status, noting that it honors convicted war criminals, which angers neighboring countries like China and South Korea. The South China Morning Post reported that the graffiti included derogatory phrases, reflecting the ongoing tensions surrounding Japan's wartime legacy. The Independent emphasized the shrine's significance in Japanese politics, particularly regarding visits by government officials, which are often criticized by neighboring nations.
How we got here
The Yasukuni Shrine has been a focal point of tension between Japan and its neighbors due to its commemoration of war criminals alongside war dead. Recent vandalism incidents reflect ongoing regional sensitivities regarding Japan's wartime actions.
Common question
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What Does the Vandalism at Yasukuni Shrine Mean for Japan-China Relations?
The recent vandalism at Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine has sparked renewed discussions about its significance in Japan's relations with China and South Korea. This incident, which involved graffiti deemed offensive, raises questions about the historical context of the shrine and its impact on diplomatic ties in the region. Below, we explore the implications of this act and the broader controversies surrounding Yasukuni Shrine.
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Yasukuni Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Chiyoda, Tokyo. It was founded by Emperor Meiji in June 1869 and commemorates those who died in service of Japan from the Boshin War of 1868–1869 through the First Indochina War of 1946–1954.
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Japan is an island country of East Asia in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It borders the Sea of Japan to the west and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south.
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Fumio Kishida is a Japanese politician and the former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan from 2012 to 2017. He is a member of the House of Representatives and the Liberal Democratic Party.
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World War II, also known as the Second World War, was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all the great powers—forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis.
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