TOKYO（TR) – In a sudden move that will alter the visual spectacle of its annual commemorations, the controversial Yasukuni Shrine has announced a strict ban on military uniforms and cosplay on its grounds.
In a notice released on August 7, the shrine office explicitly prohibited visitors from entering the precincts wearing “cosplay costumes” or “military attire,” which it defined as including military uniforms and tactical gear.
According to the statement, the new policy is strictly aimed at “maintaining tranquility and dignity in the sacred precincts where the heroic spirits are enshrined.”
Yasukuni Shrine honors millions of Japan’s war dead, including convicted Class-A war criminals from World War II. For decades, the shrine has been a flashpoint for domestic and international controversy.
Historically, particularly around the August 15 anniversary of Japan’s surrender in WWII, the shrine grounds have attracted individuals and nationalist groups dressed in Imperial Japanese Army and Navy uniforms, often carrying replica rifles and imperial flags. Additionally, the location has occasionally drawn attention from individuals wearing unrelated costumes for photo opportunities.
The shrine’s office emphasized that Yasukuni is a solemn and sacred place intended to comfort the souls of those who sacrificed their lives for the country.
“We ask for your cooperation with the following matters so that everyone can worship peacefully in a calm environment,” the shrine said, pleading with its regular worshippers and supporters to understand the new directive and maintain a deep respect for the enshrined dead.
