Story perspectives

China Protests Ministers’ Yasukuni Visit on Surrender Anniversary

8/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

China protested after Shinjiro Koizumi and three ministers visited Yasukuni Shrine on the 81st anniversary of Japan’s surrender.
Chinese foreign ministry called shrine a symbol of militarism that enshrines 14 Class-A war criminals.
Jiang Bin warned Japan would face a “trial of history” unless it ends militarism, noting a 2027 defence budget of 8.9 trillion yen (US$56 billion).
Chen Xi said Japan’s neo-militarism threatens regional security and must be vigilantly opposed.

History

Historical Context

The Japan-China Joint Communiqué, signed in Beijing on 29 September 1972 by Foreign Minister Masayoshi Ohira and Premier Zhou Enlai, ended post-war diplomatic silence. It paved the way for the 1978 peace treaty, which contained five articles and took effect after Deng Xiaoping’s state visit. The 1972 breakthrough shows that symbolic diplomatic moves can still spark tension in East Asian relations.

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Story summary

China protested after Shinjiro Koizumi and three ministers visited Yasukuni Shrine on the 81st anniversary of Japan’s surrender.
Chinese foreign ministry called shrine a symbol of militarism that enshrines 14 Class-A war criminals.
Jiang Bin warned Japan would face a “trial of history” unless it ends militarism, noting a 2027 defence budget of 8.9 trillion yen (US$56 billion).
Chen Xi said Japan’s neo-militarism threatens regional security and must be vigilantly opposed.

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