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Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent a ritual offering to Yasukuni shrine on the 81st anniversary of World War II's end, while Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited in person. The gesture risks renewed diplomatic tension with China and South Korea.
A 22-year-old television debate clip featuring Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has resurfaced online, reigniting domestic controversy over her characterisation of Japan's wartime aggression as self-defence and stoking concerns about historical revisionism at the highest levels of government.
Japan's revised Imperial House Law aims to stabilize the shrinking royal family but leaves palace staff uncertain and public opinion fractured over whether it sidelines female succession.
Japan has enacted legislation banning flag desecration, reigniting international debate about balancing national symbol protection with freedom of expression rights across democracies.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's approval rating has fallen below 50 per cent for the first time since her October appointment, with older voters showing the sharpest dissatisfaction amid concerns over her policies and regional tensions.