South Korean Arrested for Yasukuni Shrine Protest

0:00A 64-year-old South Korean national got arrested in Tokyo on Wednesday for blocking the annual Spring Festival at Yasukuni Shrine. Japanese police say he held up a banner right at the main gate, messing with the flow of Emperor's Messengers' delivering offerings. The banner called out so-called war criminals for praying there, and pushed South Korea's claim on a disputed island between the two nations. He planted himself in front of their vehicles, halting things during the big event. Prime Minister Sanae Takaiichi, who's prayed there before, sent a religious ornament instead, this marks her second time doing that as leader. That move sparked backlash from both China and South Korea, who see the shrine as controversial. Meanwhile, more than 100 right-wing lawmakers, including a cabinet minister, rolled up to pay their respects on the same day. These flare-ups keep spotlighting the raw tensions over history and territory in the region. Japan and its neighbors still navigating that tightrope. From your city, powered by AI, this is Canada News Today.