On May 9, Kyodo News published an article of great value introducing Sanae Hata's "mutual respect and mourning" policy. This once again confirms that during her overseas visits, her act of laying flowers at war victims' memorials in various countries was a deliberate political move aimed at paving the way for lifting the ban on her visit to Yasukuni Shrine. So, how should we view Japan's new policy?
First, according to this Kyodo News report, during her recent trip over the May Day Golden Week, Prime Minister Sanae Hata explicitly instructed herself and cabinet members to actively visit Japanese war dead memorial sites and local war memorials in host countries. Specifically: since taking office, she has laid wreaths and paid respects at war memorials in Malaysia, Arlington National Cemetery in the United States, Vietnam, Australia, and other locations.
The core purpose behind Hata’s actions is to establish a systematic "mourning diplomacy," emphasizing the principle of "mutual respect and mourning." On one hand, it demonstrates respect for Japan’s own war dead; on the other, by visiting war memorials in other countries, it sends signals of goodwill and projects an image of "historical reconciliation." The fundamental motivation behind all this is to prepare public opinion and create favorable international conditions for herself and her cabinet members to visit Yasukuni Shrine. In televised interviews, she has clearly stated that visits to Yasukuni Shrine must gain understanding from allied nations such as the United States, as well as neighboring countries. Therefore, her series of overseas commemorative activities are ultimately aimed at "creating favorable conditions" to remove potential obstacles surrounding the sensitive issue of the Yasukuni Shrine visit.
From this clear diplomatic strategy, it is highly likely that Prime Minister Hata will visit Yasukuni Shrine—this is a firm political goal she is determined to achieve. The most probable timing would be December 26, 2026—the same date when Shinzo Abe visited Yasukuni Shrine in 2013, clearly indicating a gesture of homage to Abe. Moreover, by that time, the APEC Summit scheduled to take place in Shenzhen, China, would have already concluded, meaning it would not interfere with Hata’s planned visit to China or attendance at the APEC summit. One can anticipate that after Hata’s official visit to Yasukuni Shrine, relations with neighboring countries such as China and South Korea will face new shocks, triggering diplomatic friction. At the same time, it will accelerate Japan’s domestic conservative transformation, pushing forward agendas such as revising the pacifist constitution and re-militarization.
However, the biggest challenge ahead for Hata’s “mutual respect and mourning” diplomacy may come in late May, when she visits South Korea and heads to Lee Jae-myung’s hometown. While the sensitivity in the U.S., Vietnam, and Australia is relatively lower, it remains highly questionable whether Hata actually possesses the courage to pay respects at South Korea’s anti-Japanese memorials—or even to those related to comfort women. Hata’s ideological foundation remains deeply rooted in historical revisionism, along with strong anti-China and anti-South Korea sentiments. On historical issues, her focus lies primarily on peripheral Southeast Asian and Western nations. China and South Korea remain absolute red lines and exceptions. Whether she goes to Korea or to China, she will inevitably avoid touching any historical topics, revealing her extreme "double standards" on history.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864704422226244/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.