With support from the University of Richmond

History News Network puts current events into historical perspective. Subscribe to our newsletter for new perspectives on the ways history continues to resonate in the present. Explore our archive of thousands of original op-eds and curated stories from around the web. Join us to learn more about the past, now.

Japanese cabinet shun controversial Yasukuni shrine

Ministers in Japan's new centre-left government have stayed away from a controversial shrine on the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II.

It is the first time an entire cabinet has not attended ceremonies at the Yasukuni shrine in at least 25 years.

Government ministers paying respects at the Tokyo shrine, which honours Japan's war dead, including war criminals, have in the past angered Japan's neighbours.

The new DPJ-led government had promised to be more considerate.

Other lawmakers, including opposition leaders, did attend ceremonies at the Yasukuni shrine....
Read entire article at BBC