China has strongly condemned Japanese politicians after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent ritual offerings to the Yasukuni Shrine and some cabinet members and lawmakers visited it.

The shrine is a symbol of Japanese militarism and enshrines 14 Class-A war criminals directly responsible for Japan's war of aggression, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Japan said on Saturday.

No matter what excuses Japanese politicians offer, their actions cannot conceal their real intentions of whitewashing war criminals, covering up wartime atrocities, distorting historical facts and paving the way for accelerated remilitarization, the spokesperson said.

Such acts desecrate historical justice, challenge the basic standards of civilization and defy the postwar international order, drawing firm opposition from the international community, the spokesperson added.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, or the Tokyo Trials. A correct understanding and handling of history is a key prerequisite for Japan's return to the international community post-World War II, a political foundation for its relations with neighboring countries, and a yardstick for assessing its commitment to peaceful development, the spokesperson said.

China urged Japan to reflect deeply on its history of aggression, face up to its wartime responsibilities, exercise prudence on issues related to the Yasukuni Shrine and other historical matters, and completely break with militarism, the spokesperson said, adding that Japan should take concrete actions to earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community.

(Cover: The Chinese national flag is seen at the Chinese embassy in Japan on March 25, 2026. /VCG)