日本防卫大臣小泉进次郎周六在东京靖国神社参拜[1]。该神社因纪念二战战犯而被日本亚洲邻国视为军国主义象征，长期引发中韩批评[1]。靖国神社供奉14名甲级战犯，包括东条英机、土肥原贤二、松井石根等[2]。日本首相高市早苗也在8月15日日本投降日向该神社供奉祭祀费[2]。
日本政界频繁参拜靖国神社的同时，正在加速推进军事扩张。日本在3月部署25式陆基反舰导弹，射程约1000公里[2]；4月原则上允许杀伤性武器出口[2]；6月参议院通过《防卫省设置法》修正案，将"宇宙领域列为新的行动领域"[2]；7月正式设立"国家情报局"[2]；8月防卫省公布2026年版《防卫白皮书》，声称要进一步谋求"对敌基地攻击能力"[2]。中国外交部发言人林剑表示敦促日方停止为强军扩武寻找借口[2]。俄罗斯副外长鲁坚科表示高市政府的好战姿态对亚太地区稳定造成负面影响[2]。
Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro visited Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine on Saturday to offer prayers[1]. The shrine, which enshrines 14 Class-A war criminals including Hideki Tojo, Kensuke Tsukada, and Iwane Matsui[2], is regarded by Japan's Asian neighbors as a symbol of past Japanese militarism[1]. China and South Korea have repeatedly criticized such visits, viewing them as evidence of insufficient reflection on wartime atrocities[1].
The visit occurred as Japanese Prime Minister Takayama Sanae made an offering of ceremonial fees to the shrine on August 15, Japan's surrender anniversary[2]. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian urged Japan to cease using military expansion as justification for strengthening its armed forces[2]. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Rudenko stated that the Takayama administration's hawkish stance has had a negative impact on regional stability in the Asia-Pacific[2].
The shrine visit reflects broader developments in Japan's security policy. In March, Japan deployed Type 25 land-based anti-ship missiles with a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers[2]. In April, the Japanese government approved in principle the export of lethal weapons[2]. Japan's upper house passed amendments to the Defense Ministry Establishment Law in June, designating space as a new operational domain[2]. Japan formally established a National Intelligence Agency in July[2], and the Defense Ministry released its 2026 Defense White Paper in August, declaring intent to further pursue "counterstrike capabilities"[2].