Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent a ritual offering to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo this Saturday. The gesture coincides with the start of the shrine's three-day autumn festival. Yasukuni Shrine is a controversial site in East Asia, as it honors Japan’s war dead, including convicted war criminals from World War II. Because of this, the shrine is frequently viewed by neighboring countries, particularly China and South Korea, as a symbol of Japan’s past imperial militarism.

Takaichi, a prominent conservative figure, has a history of visiting the Shinto site regularly before assuming the role of Prime Minister. However, sources close to the Prime Minister suggest she is unlikely to visit the shrine in person during this specific festival. This caution comes at a time when Japan is navigating delicate diplomatic relations, specifically with China, while maintaining relatively stable ties with South Korea. The act of sending an offering—often a 'masakaki' tree—is a common practice for Japanese leaders who wish to acknowledge the shrine without the diplomatic fallout that typically follows a physical visit by a sitting head of government.