Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited the Yasukuni Shrine today, a move likely to draw criticism from neighboring countries. The shrine is considered by many in China and South Korea as a symbol of Japan’s wartime aggression, as it honors convicted war criminals alongside those who died in service. Economic Security Minister Kimi Onoda also paid respects at the shrine. Notably absent was Economic and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, and Security Policy Minister Yasukazu Hamada. Koizumi is a frequent visitor to Yasukuni, and his continued visits often coincide with heightened regional tensions. This latest visit occurs amid ongoing diplomatic sensitivities in East Asia.