North Korea condemned Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for presenting a ritual offering at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, which honors Japanese war dead, including convicted Class A criminals from World War II. The act was described as a distortion of history and a challenge to international justice by a Rodong Sinmun article. The shrine visits by Japanese politicians have been viewed negatively by neighboring countries like South Korea and China, who see it as an attempt to glorify Japan’s militaristic past.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova also criticized Japan, accusing the Takaichi administration of ignoring historical lessons and whitewashing past crimes. Zakharova highlighted the atrocities committed by Japanese militarists during World War II and criticized Takaichi’s administration for disregarding the feelings of neighboring countries affected by Japan’s wartime aggression. She called on Japan to acknowledge the outcomes of World War II and refrain from policies that promote remilitarization.
Japan’s recent relaxation of arms export restrictions and the participation of Japanese combat troops in US-Philippine military exercises were also scrutinized by Zakharova. She expressed concerns about Japan’s military expansion within its alliance with the US, warning that such actions could escalate tensions in the Asia Pacific region.
