On Thursday, December 25, 2025, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova publicly condemned Japan’s efforts to whitewash its history of militarist aggression and war crimes. Her remarks came in response to reports that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi may visit the Yasukuni Shrine, a site long criticized as a symbol of unchecked militarism.
Zakharova highlighted that the Yasukuni Shrine enshrines Class-A war criminals sentenced to death by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, noting the shrine’s role in “glorifying a painful chapter in human history.” She reminded audiences that countless lives were lost and civilians brutalized under Japanese militarism, all documented facts that demand acknowledgment rather than erasure.
Urging a more constructive approach, Zakharova proposed that Japan establish a dedicated memorial hall to honor the victims of its wartime actions. She suggested dispatching official representatives to lay tributes there annually—or even more frequently—as a tangible step toward genuine atonement.
By calling on Japan to fully acknowledge World War II outcomes and abandon attempts to sanitize its past, Russia is adding its voice to broader debates on historical memory and reconciliation in Asia. As regional ties evolve, the challenge of facing shared histories remains central to building trust and understanding among neighbors.
For many young global citizens and thought leaders, the discussion underscores the importance of historical accountability in shaping future diplomacy and collective memory.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
