North Korea strongly criticized Japan over recent war shrine visits by Japanese politicians, calling the actions a dangerous signal of revived militarism. The condemnation came Tuesday from the Rodong Sinmun, the country’s main state newspaper, amid rising regional tension over historical memory and nationalism.
The newspaper denounced the visits and offerings to Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan’s war dead, including convicted World War II criminals. North Korea argued that such actions reveal Japan’s lingering ambitions to rebuild its militaristic past. The editorial warned that these gestures threaten stability and peace across Northeast Asia.
Last week, outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba sent a ritual offering to the controversial shrine. A group of lawmakers also visited the site to pay respects during an annual autumn festival. The war shrine visits quickly drew criticism from neighboring countries that suffered under Japan’s wartime aggression.
The Yasukuni Shrine, located in central Tokyo, enshrines the spirits of about 2.46 million war dead. Among them are 14 Class A war criminals convicted by international tribunals after World War II. For decades, visits to the site have stirred controversy both domestically and abroad. Many see the acts as glorifying Japan’s militarist past rather than mourning its losses.
The Rodong Sinmun accused Japanese leaders of showing nostalgia for the specters of militarism. It claimed their actions represent not mere remembrance but an effort to justify past invasions. The paper said Japan’s repeated war shrine visits defy international justice and insult the victims of wartime aggression.
Analysts say the condemnation reflects North Korea’s broader strategy of framing Japan as a regional threat. The criticism also resonates with China and South Korea, which have long opposed any political homage to Yasukuni.
Observers in Seoul note that such disputes over wartime memory continue to strain regional diplomacy. They warn that the renewed tensions could complicate cooperation on issues like security and humanitarian aid.
Despite repeated criticism from neighbors, some Japanese lawmakers defend their visits as acts of personal devotion. However, North Korea maintains that these actions demonstrate a refusal to atone for wartime atrocities.
As Tokyo faces growing scrutiny, the war shrine visits once again underscore how unresolved history continues to cast a shadow over East Asia’s present and future relations.
