Outgoing Japan PM Ishiba sends offering to war-linked Yasukuni shrine

Outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba sent a ritual offering to the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo, regarded by Japan's neighbors as a symbol of its past militarism, on Friday, the first day of its three-day autumn festival.Ruling Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi, who took the party's helm on Oct. 4 and is likely to become Japan's next prime minister, is also expected to refrain from visiting the Shinto shrine during the festival, according to sources close to her.Takaichi, known as a staunch conservative who has visited the shrine periodically, made a monetary offering us…READ FULL ARTICLE