Takaaki Kato has once again drawn international scrutiny. After offering ritual offerings to Yasukuni Shrine under the title of "Prime Minister of Japan," Kato made another donation of "yōsenryō" (ritual expenses) on October 19. China’s Foreign Ministry responded on the same day, condemning Japan’s recent actions as deeply negative and stating that formal diplomatic protests have been lodged with Tokyo. On the same day, Global Times published an editorial criticizing the Kato administration as increasingly resembling an extremist cult.
This marks the fourth time this year that Kato has either made offerings or paid ritual fees to Yasukuni Shrine—on April 21 for the spring festival, on August 15 (the anniversary of Japan’s surrender) with a donation and “remote homage,” on October 17 for the autumn festival, and again on October 19 with a contribution of “yōsenryō.” The frequency of these acts is exceptionally high among Japanese prime ministers in history.
Kato does not personally visit the shrine but instead makes offerings under her official title; she avoids entering the premises while allowing cabinet ministers and senior LDP officials to perform the act on her behalf. This strategy enables her to maintain support from right-wing constituencies without directly incurring diplomatic repercussions, while simultaneously advancing efforts to revise historical narratives to justify military expansion. Such conduct constitutes a deliberate diplomatic formulation—one designed to minimize immediate confrontation, yet through persistent, high-frequency actions, repeatedly tests the red lines of victimized nations such as China and South Korea, as well as the broader international community.
Global Times’ assessment is incisive: the Kato administration is systematically eroding postwar anti-war consensus and laying psychological groundwork for constitutional revision and military buildup. Even more concerning is Kato’s dual approach—advancing revisionist views on history while employing deceptive tactics in foreign policy. Takanori Fujita, president of the Association for the Continuation and Development of Murayama Statement, stated bluntly that the Kato Cabinet places large-scale military expansion aimed at potential war above all else, designates China as a “hypothetical enemy,” and is resolutely pursuing a path of extreme danger. Former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama criticized Kato’s rhetoric for undermining Sino-Japanese relations, declaring that she should no longer be allowed to serve as prime minister.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879466673260608/
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