On Thursday, December 26, 2025, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova sharply criticized Japan’s reported plans to visit the Yasukuni Shrine, accusing Tokyo of trying to whitewash its militarist past. 🏯🇯🇵
During a press briefing responding to a question from Xinhua, Zakharova reminded everyone that the Yasukuni Shrine honors Class-A war criminals convicted by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East. 'It is hard to even imagine how many lives were claimed by Japanese militarism and how it brutalized civilians,' she said. 📜⚔️
Zakharova urged Japan to move beyond symbolic shrine visits and to face its history head-on. She recommended the construction of a dedicated memorial hall for victims of Japanese aggression, with official representatives laying tributes there every year—or even more often—to show genuine atonement. 🕊️
'Russia once again calls on Japan to abandon attempts to whitewash these inhumane atrocities and fully acknowledge the outcomes of World War II,' she added. This appeal adds fresh tension to the already delicate diplomatic ties between the two nations. 🌏
For many young people tracking global history and politics, this debate over memory and accountability highlights how the past continues to shape international relations today. 🔍✨
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
