Japan PM's 'remote worship' at Yasukuni Shrine draws muted reactions abroad

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's administration opted for a "remote worship" at the Yasukuni Shrine on the 81st anniversary of Japan's World War II defeat, a move that drew strong reactions from China and South Korea.

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Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's administration opted for a "remote worship" at the Yasukuni Shrine on the 81st anniversary of Japan's World War II defeat, a move that drew strong reactions from China and South Korea.

Veteran journalist Akio Yaita observed that Kishida's approach, which involved "remote worship" rather than a personal visit, aimed to de-escalate the situation while maintaining his stance. Yaita explained that "remote worship" in Shinto tradition allows for a formal act of prayer when a personal visit is not possible, by facing the shrine's direction.

Yaita noted that Kishida, a former staunch conservative, has become more politically mature since becoming prime minister. He highlighted that a direct visit by the prime minister could easily escalate into a diplomatic issue, especially with Japan currently focused on disaster recovery and managing multiple foreign policy concerns. This approach, Yaita suggested, avoids unnecessarily creating a "Yasukuni storm."

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Veteran journalist Akio Yaita observed that Kishida's approach, which involved "remote worship" rather than a personal visit, aimed to de-escalate the situation while maintaining his stance.

The international reaction, according to Yaita, indicates the strategy's effectiveness. While China and South Korea protested, their responses were not intense. The United States did not express public "disappointment" as it did after Shinzo Abe's visit in 2013, and Southeast Asian nations showed no significant backlash. However, some domestic conservatives criticized Kishida for not fulfilling his past statements about visiting the shrine as prime minister.

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Yaita explained that "remote worship" in Shinto tradition allows for a formal act of prayer when a personal visit is not possible, by facing the shrine's direction.

Yaita concluded that while politicians can hold personal beliefs, a prime minister must prioritize national interests. He drew a parallel to Abe, who stopped visiting the shrine as prime minister after 2013, not due to a change in conviction, but because of the broader considerations required of the office. Kishida's "remote worship" may offer a new path, respecting Japanese traditions of remembrance and faith while minimizing the shrine's role as a recurring flashpoint in Northeast Asian diplomacy.

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He highlighted that a direct visit by the prime minister could easily escalate into a diplomatic issue, especially with Japan currently focused on disaster recovery and managing multiple foreign policy concerns.