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Yasukuni Shrine

Yasukuni Shrine, located in Tokyo, Japan, is dedicated to over 2,466,000 Japanese soldiers and servicemen who died fighting on behalf of the Emperor of Japan in the last 150 years. It also houses one of the few Japanese war museums dedicated to World War II.The shrine is at the center of an international controversy by honoring war criminals convicted by a post World War II court including 14 'Class A' war criminals. Japanese politicians, including prime ministers and cabinet members have paid visits to Yasukuni Shrine in recent years which caused criticism and protests from China, Korea, and Taiwan.

China-Japan relations

China’s volatile Japan ties

China and Japan have built deep economic links, while also still having regular diplomatic rows. The latest blow-up came after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in November that the nation’s military forces could potentially be deployed in the event of a Taiwan conflict.

3 Dec 2025 - 11:15AM

Yasukuni Shrine

China’s volatile Japan ties

China and Japan have built deep economic links, while also still having regular diplomatic rows. The latest blow-up came after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in November that the nation’s military forces could potentially be deployed in the event of a Taiwan conflict.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Why Chinese are cancelling their trips to Japan

Yasukuni litmus test looms for Japan’s new PM Takaichi

Xi tells new Japanese PM that conflicts should not define their ties

At first sit-down meeting with Sanae Takaichi, Chinese leader says the two countries should focus on the bigger picture to manage differences.

Takaichi-Lee meeting raises hopes of Japan and South Korea burying history row

The two leaders focused on regional security and trade, and did not mention long-standing differences over history and maritime territory.

China gives Japan’s new prime minister Sanae Takaichi the cold shoulder

Beijing has yet to congratulate Takaichi, who holds controversial positions on Taiwan and Japanese wartime history.

Why Japan’s first female PM is winning hearts – even with scandal-hit cabinet

Early polls show strong approval ratings for Sanae Takaichi, despite cabinet picks linked to one of the country’s biggest political scandals.

Japan’s new PM talks up ties with South Korea but her past casts a long shadow

South Koreans are optimistic about Sanae Takaichi for now. Only time will tell whether the goodwill lasts, however.

Editorial | Japan’s new PM must respect China’s red lines if ties are to improve

Sanae Takaichi should show she shares her predecessor’s understanding of the importance of China to Japan’s economy.

For the first time in years, Japan’s opposition sees a route to power

The Liberal Democratic Party has ruled Japan in unbroken succession since Shinzo Abe’s landslide victory in 2012.

Will Japan’s new PM reopen old war wounds with South Korea?

A staunch conservative with ties to a powerful right-wing lobby group, Sanae Takaichi has repeatedly downplayed Japan’s wartime atrocities.

Japan is getting a new leader, but her government could be over before it begins

Sanae Takaichi’s hardline views on immigration and wartime history have put her at odds with the ruling LDP’s long-time coalition partner.

‘New era’: Japan’s LDP elects Sanae Takaichi, poised to be first female PM

She was elected LDP president on Saturday after winning a run-off vote against Shinjiro Koizumi, the son of a former prime minister.

Call to remove Yasukuni’s war criminals sparks right-wing anger in Japan

The call by Yoshimasa Hayashi, a top LDP politician, may help mend ties between Japan and the region over its WWII history if carried out.

Japan’s next leader? LDP showdown pits Abe protégé against reformist scion

Recent polls suggest the party’s voters will decide between Sanae Takaichi’s conservative vision and Shinjiro Koizumi’s centrist appeal.

Who will be Japan’s next PM? Ruling party grapples with a ‘poisoned chalice’

A charismatic scion and a hawkish protégé are the apparent front runners to lead the LDP, but can anyone restore public trust in the party?

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | What Japanese leader’s choices on war surrender anniversary reveal

Readers discuss the Japanese prime minister’s speech on the anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender, China’s rise, the enthusiasm surrounding new asset classes, and standards for subdivided flats.

China condemns Japanese tribute to war criminals at Yasukuni Shrine

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba sent a ritual offering to the shrine in Tokyo, and several senior members of government went there in person.

Editorial | History of Japanese aggression teaches lessons that must not be forgotten

Japan should take seriously China’s concerns about its military expansion in recent years.

On WWII anniversary, China’s PLA says Japan never abandoned military power dream

PLA Daily commentary criticises Tokyo’s plan to raise defence spending to 2% of GDP, breaking a long-standing 1% ceiling.

Beijing says Tokyo must ‘make the right choice’ as Japan remembers WWII

On the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender, Shigeru Ishiba expresses ‘remorse’ – a first for a Japanese prime minister since 2013.

Opinion | Why Nanking massacre remains such a powerful Chinese cultural symbol

China’s remembrance of Japan’s war atrocities is not about nationalism or grudges, but a solemn vow to never forget or take peace for granted.

Court ruling over Koreans enshrined in Japan’s Yasukuni reopens wartime wounds

A group of 27 South Koreans fought to have their relatives’ names removed from the highly controversial shrine in Tokyo.

Chinese national gets 8 months in prison for Yasukuni Shrine graffiti case

Jiang Zhuojun and two others are accused of vandalising a pillar at the controversial landmark by spray-painting the word ‘toilet’ on it.

Chinese man says he defaced Japan shrine to protest Fukushima discharge

Jiang Zhuojun pleaded guilty to charges of damaging property and disrespecting a place of worship.

South Korea’s anger over Sado mine event clouds efforts to deepen security ties

President Yoon Suk-yeol has boycotted the mine’s commemoration in Japan, purportedly over Tokyo’s failure to recognise forced Korean workers.

Japan holds Sado mines memorial despite South Korean boycott

The mines were listed as a World Heritage site in July after Japan and South Korea agreed to put aside some of their differences.

South Korea spurns Sado mines memorial amid lingering historical tensions

South Korea’s President Yoon had made improving relations with Japan a priority following years of disputes of the two countries’ history.

Opinion | Why Chinese are cancelling their trips to Japan

Letters | What Japanese leader’s choices on war surrender anniversary reveal