Yasukuni Shrine

Yasukuni Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Tokyo, Japan, established in 1869 to honor those who died serving Japan in wars. It commemorates millions, including soldiers and civilians, but controversially enshrines individuals convicted of war crimes from World War II. The shrine is a site of pilgrimage for many, particularly on war anniversaries, but visits by politicians often spark diplomatic tensions with countries like China and South Korea, who view it as a symbol of Japan’s militaristic past. The shrine embodies complex issues of memory, nationalism, and reconciliation in Japan’s post-war identity.