Key facts
- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent an offering to Yasukuni Shrine on August 15, 2026.
- Takaichi did not visit the shrine in person on the anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender.
- Yasukuni Shrine is controversial for enshrining convicted war criminals among Japan's war dead.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent an offering to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on August 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. While Takaichi avoided a personal visit, the act of sending a ritual offering is a symbolic gesture. Yasukuni Shrine is a contentious site due to its enshrinement of individuals convicted of war crimes, leading to criticism from neighboring countries who view it as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.