Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Gives a Sudsy Gift to Yasukuni Shrine
On October 17, Japan’s leader made a symbolic move that has already sent ripples across East Asia: he sent a masakaki tree, stamped with his name, to the Yasukuni Shrine. The shrine, which honors around 2½ million war dead—including some notorious World War II figures—has long been a sticking point for China and South Korea.
Although Abe has not stepped foot on Yasukuni’s grounds since a 2013 visit that fizzled relationships with Beijing, he chose to deliver the offering from Europe. His cabinet members didn’t show up in person, but several senior politicians sent their own items, ensuring the ceremony had the right “present‑ing” capacity.
The Shrine’s Sticky History
- War Dead & Criminals: 2.5 million souls, some outlawed by history.
- International Tension: A regular hot‑pot for diplomatic snags with China, Korea and beyond.
- Recent Drama: Yasukuni’s chief priest, Kunio Kohori (aged 68), hinted at resignation after a magazine leaked a plagiarism of the emperor’s name in a critical rant.
- Emperor Silence: Akihito never visited since 1989, and his father Hirohito stayed away after the shrine’s controversial enshrinement.
Why the Emperor Keeps His Distance
Even though the emperor wields no political power, his public statements—acknowledging Japan’s “great suffering” in China and regret for its rule over Korea—have rubbed right‑wing fans the wrong way. His pacifist vibe contrasts sharply with Japan’s former militaristic ambitions, making every symbolic gesture a political tripwire.
Looking Ahead
As Akihito’s abdication looms next year, the spotlight tightens on whether Japan will lean into a new era of reconciliation or keep stirring old feelings. For now, the masakaki stands tall at Yasukuni, a wooden reminder that history is still being rewritten—sometimes too slowly for those who lived through it.
