Yasukuni Shrine Implements Ban on Military Attire

Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine has announced new regulations prohibiting visitors from wearing military uniforms or costumes on its premises. The notice, issued on Friday, specifies that 'military attire' includes military uniforms and equipment, as well as other costume attire. The shrine did not indicate whether the ban was in response to a specific incident. The rules aim to 'maintain the tranquility and dignity of the sacred grounds where the spirits of the war dead are enshrined.' This announcement precedes the annual commemorations on August 15, when many visit the shrine to mark the anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. Established in 1869, Yasukuni honors approximately 2.5 million war dead, including 14 Class-A war criminals. Visits by Japanese political leaders to the shrine have historically attracted criticism from neighboring countries, which view it as a symbol of Japan's wartime militarism. The new regulations have elicited mixed responses online, with some supporting the decision to preserve the solemn atmosphere, while others expressed concerns about the interpretation and enforcement of the ban.