Takaichi Maintains Tradition of Shinto Shrine Visits

Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s newly elected prime minister, has decided not to visit the Yasukuni Shrine during its spring festival, breaking a long-standing personal practice amid heightened diplomatic sensitivities with China and South Korea.

The decision marks a notable shift for Takaichi, who has rarely missed visiting the Shinto shrine during its spring and autumn festivals, including while serving as internal affairs minister and in other Cabinet posts. Her avoidance of the shrine during the spring festival follows a similar choice she made during the autumn festival in October 2025, when she sent an offering but did not visit in person.

Takaichi, 64, became Japan’s first female prime minister after being elected by parliament on October 21, 2025, several weeks after being chosen to lead the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). She has been known for her conservative views and hawkish stance on national security, particularly regarding China, and has previously drawn comparisons to former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Her past visits to Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan’s war dead including convicted World War II war criminals, have historically provoked strong reactions from China and South Korea, countries that suffered under Japanese imperial aggression in the first half of the 20th century. The last visit by a Japanese prime minister to the shrine was in 2013 by the late Shinzo Abe, Takaichi’s political mentor.

By refraining from visiting the shrine during the spring festival, Takaichi appears to be signaling a more pragmatic approach to foreign relations, particularly as she navigates ongoing tensions with neighboring countries. Analysts have noted that her avoidance of the shrine may reflect an effort to prevent further diplomatic strain, especially amid broader discussions about economic security and regional stability.

The move comes as Japan continues to manage complex relationships with both China and South Korea, where historical grievances related to Japan’s wartime actions remain sensitive. Takaichi’s decision to skip the shrine visit, despite her personal history of attendance, underscores the balancing act she faces between domestic conservative expectations and international diplomatic considerations.