The Secretary General of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Moriyama, visited Yasukuni Shrine recently. This shrine holds political significance in Japan as it houses the war dead, including some controversial figures from WWII. Although the intention behind the visit was not publicly disclosed, it's speculated to be a politically motivated move.

In Japan, visiting the Yasukuni Shrine by a political leader is a sensitive issue, often stirring controversy both domestically and internationally. Yasukuni enshrines war criminals, along with millions of war dead, which can be perceived as an endorsement of Japan's war-time atrocities. The shrine visit can thus influence Japanese public sentiment and international relations.

When compared to the US or EU, controversial shrine visits are not really an equivalent issue. However, political leaders' actions, in relation to symbolic or historical aspects of global conflict, can stir discussions similarly. For instance, when a US politician shows support for Confederate monuments, it can spark national discourse.