Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi sends ritual offering to Yasukuni Shrine, avoids visiting to ease tensions

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi contributed a "tamagushi-ryō" (offering fee) as a personal expense through Hiroshi Kajiyama, the General Affairs Chair of the Liberal Democratic Party, during the Autumn Grand Festival held at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo today. As a religious site commemorating World War II dead and war criminals, the shrine has remained a sensitive point in relations among China, Japan, and South Korea since its establishment in 1869. The Autumn Grand Festival, traditionally held on the third day of the eighth lunar month, draws significant attention from domestic and international media, as well as high-ranking officials including members of the Imperial Family, the Defense Minister, and the Foreign Minister, serving as a stage where Japan’s external image and domestic political issues intersect.

The "tamagushi-ryō" is an essential offering in Yasukuni Shrine’s rituals, typically woven from jade or metal, symbolizing respect and prayers for the deceased. The offering fee covers the shrine’s daily maintenance, ceremonial rituals, and related administrative expenditures. Prime Minister Takaichi’s contribution in her personal name underscores her emphasis on the ritual and reflects the sense of responsibility Japanese political figures feel toward traditional ceremonies. However, the donation was not made through public fundraising but rather via internal Liberal Democratic Party fundraising channels, highlighting the close ties between the political party and religious institutions.

Although Prime Minister Takaichi has contributed the offering fee, she announced that she would not attend the day’s ceremonial rites, a decision that has sparked widespread discussion both domestically and internationally. From a domestic political perspective, if the Prime Minister were to visit the shrine in person, it could be interpreted as support for Yasukuni, potentially exacerbating diplomatic friction with South Korea and China. From a diplomatic standpoint, her decision not to visit can be read as a gesture aimed at easing relations with the two countries, aligning with the Japanese government’s recent efforts to