According to Korean media including Kyunghyang Shinmun, Hankook Ilbo and Segye Ilbo, Takaichi sent a masakaki (sacred tree branch) offering in her capacity as prime minister for the shrine's three-day autumn festival, which runs from Oct. 17 to 19. Reports differ on whether the offering was sent on the 16th or 17th. Kyodo News reported she would not visit the shrine during the festival.

A Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Seoul once again expresses deep disappointment and regret that responsible Japanese leaders keep making offerings and visits. The ministry noted that the shrine glorifies Japan's past war of aggression and enshrines war criminals.

The ministry also urged Japan's leaders to face history and show humble reflection and genuine remorse through action, calling this an important foundation for future-oriented bilateral ties built on trust.

Yasukuni enshrines about 2.47 million war dead, including Class-A war criminals such as wartime Prime Minister Hideki Tojo. Segye Ilbo reported that Takaichi told an Upper House budget committee a day earlier that past cabinets' historical views would not change, including the 1995 Murayama Statement. As a new lawmaker in 1995 she had criticized the statement's use of the word invasion, but after taking office she said on Nov. 7 last year that she would uphold past cabinets' positions.

China's reaction to this autumn festival offering was not confirmed in the reports reviewed. For reference, when Takaichi sent a masakaki offering for the spring festival in April, Yomiuri Shimbun reported that China's foreign ministry said it firmly opposed and strongly condemned the move and lodged a protest with Japan, while South Korea's ministry cited strong disappointment and serious concern. Whether neighboring countries will add further responses this time remains to be seen.