Today (August 15), marking Liberation Day and the anniversary of Japan's WWII surrender, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi did not visit Yasukuni Shrine in person, but instead offered ritual payments in her capacity as president of the Liberal Democratic Party.

However, two cabinet ministers, including Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, visited Yasukuni Shrine on the war defeat anniversary, marking the seventh consecutive year that incumbent Japanese cabinet ministers have done so.

Key party officials, including the LDP secretary-general and the chairperson of the General Council, also visited Yasukuni as a group, a move local media described as unusual.

Yasukuni Shrine honors Class A war criminals from World War II and is regarded as a symbol of Japanese militarism.