The Japanese far-right media outlet, Sankei Shimbun, criticized the South Korean government’s absence from the “Sado Mine Memorial Ceremony” on Sado Island, organized by Japan, labeling it as an instance of “anti-Japanese syndrome.”
In an editorial, Sankei suggested that South Korea’s non-participation was likely due to a backlash over reports that Akiko Ikuina, a Japanese government representative and parliamentary vice minister for foreign affairs, had visited the Yasukuni Shrine. The outlet criticized what it described as South Korea’s obsessive anti-Japanese sentiment.
Sankei emphasized that it is natural for Japanese politicians to visit the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors war dead, and claimed there was no reason to be criticized by foreign countries for such visits.
Furthermore, the editorial mentioned that it is commonplace for parliamentarians who visit the Yasukuni Shrine to take key government positions. It argued that if the South Korean government refuses to engage with Japan because of this, then it is not interested in maintaining a proper relationship with Japan.
Additionally, Sankei noted that Ikuina had not paid tribute at Yasukuni Shrine since becoming a House of Councillors member and expressed regret over this, urging for an early visit.
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