Yasukuni Shrine controversy

The Yasukuni Shrine controversy centers on Japan’s Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan’s war dead, including convicted war criminals from WWII. Visits by Japanese officials to the shrine offend some countries, especially China and Korea, because they see it as glorifying Japan’s wartime aggression and dishonoring victims. Japan views the shrine as a symbol of remembrance for fallen soldiers. The controversy reflects ongoing tensions over Japan’s wartime history, national pride, and diplomatic relations, with visits often sparking protests and diplomatic disputes.