Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
Koizumi’s Yasukuni visit casts shadow over Korea-Japan ties
Shinjiro Koizumi, Japan’s agriculture minister and a potential prime ministerial candidate, arrives at Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, Friday, the anniversary of Japan’s World War II defeat. It marked the first confirmed visit by a sitting cabinet minister since the launch of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s government. Yonhap
By Kim Hyun-bin
Rising Japanese politician’s move seen as bid to rally conservative base
Korea criticized Japanese Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi after he visited the Yasukuni Shrine on Friday, the anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender, undercutting recent gestures of reconciliation by the two countries’ leaders. The visit highlighted the lingering historical tensions that continue to shape relations between Seoul and Tokyo.
The son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Shinjiro is regarded as an influential up-and-coming politician and has cultivated an image as a modern, reform-minded leader. Just days earlier, he visited Korea’s National Cemetery, sparking speculation that he could help improve ties between the neighboring countries. His gesture, along with casual remarks about enjoying Korean food, briefly raised hopes in Seoul that he represented a new generation of Japanese leadership.
But his visit to Yasukuni — where 14 convicted Class-A war criminals are enshrined alongside 2.46 million war dead — appeared to reaffirm his alignment with Japan’s nationalist right. The move drew inevitable comparisons to his father, whose frequent shrine visits during his premiership strained Tokyo’s relations with Seoul and Beijing.
On Friday, the 80th anniversary of Korea’s National Liberation Day, President Lee Jae Myung addressed his country’s complex relationship with Japan, acknowledging their shared history for the first time since taking office, while stressing the importance of future-oriented, pragmatic cooperation. His remarks were mirrored by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who, in a rare gesture for a Japanese leader, offered a reflective tribute on the anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender, pledging never to repeat the devastation of war. It marked the first time in 13 years that a Japanese prime minister had expressed remorse on the day commemorating the end of the war.
Seoul’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Japan’s leaders to confront history and show genuine reflection through concrete measures, stressing that such steps are essential for building a trust-based, forward-looking relationship. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea condemned Ishiba, who did not go in person but made an offering to the shrine, as well as other Japanese politicians who made the visit to Yasukuni, calling their actions “a grave provocation without an apology for its war of aggression.”
“This visit shows that even younger Japanese politicians who are seen as reformist cannot escape the pull of conservative forces,” said Park Sang-byung, a prominent political commentator. “People in Korea may have hoped Koizumi would be more conciliatory, but the reality is that he is unlikely to diverge from the nationalist line. In fact, he may prove even tougher than Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.”
Cha Jae-kwon, a political science professor at Pukyong National University, offered a more nuanced view, noting that Koizumi’s stance is relatively moderate compared to previous administrations.
“From Seoul’s perspective, his position appears somewhat more stable and less provocative than what we saw under former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe,” Cha said. “While his Yasukuni visit is clearly disappointing, I would not classify it as a grave escalation. If Koizumi emerges as a future leader, he would likely chart a course between the hardline approach of Abe and the softer stance of Ishiba.”
Koizumi’s political trajectory has long been watched closely in Seoul.
During his tenure as environment minister in 2020 and 2021, Koizumi also visited the controversial shrine, indicating that his views on the shrine have remained consistent throughout his career. His decision to visit again this year, now as a cabinet minister under Ishiba, is widely seen as an effort to bolster support among the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s conservative base at a time when Ishiba’s leadership faces pressure.
Park noted that Ishiba’s government has shown little willingness to address contentious issues such as its wartime history, territorial disputes or memorials for the victims of the 1923 Kanto Massacre.
“The ruling party is politically weak, and leaders are heavily dependent on right-wing support,” he said. “Korea should not expect major concessions, even if Koizumi becomes prime minister someday.”
Cha added that, although relations between the two countries may become more strained under Korea’s current government, a complete breakdown is unlikely.
“President Lee Jae Myung is pursuing a pragmatic foreign policy, which means ties with Tokyo will be managed to avoid serious deterioration,” he said. “If Ishiba remains in power, the relationship could even stabilize at a middle ground — not as confrontational as during Moon Jae-in’s presidency, but not as conciliatory as under [ex-President] Yoon Suk Yeol.”