Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Koizumi Shinjiro visited Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on August 15.

He was the first member of Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru's Cabinet to go to the Shinto shrine on the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

Ishiba himself did not visit but sent a ritual offering in his capacity as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party using his private expense.

Two former ministers of state for economic security Takaichi Sanae and Kobayashi Takayuki also came.

Takaichi is considered a candidate to succeed Ishiba as Japan's prime minister.

S/ Takaichi Sanae, Former Minister of State for Economic Security / Many people sacrificed their lives for national policy. I offered my sincere condolences with deep reverence.

Among political party leaders, Kamiya Sohei of the Sanseito party and Hyakuta Naoki of the Conservative Party of Japan visited the shrine.

About 50 members of a cross-party group of lawmakers whose mission is to visit the shrine also paid their respects.

Visits to Yasukuni, especially by members of Japan's Cabinet, are frowned upon by countries such as China and South Korea that see the shrine as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.