Robert Barwick, national chairman of the Australian Citizens Party, noted that Japanese prime ministers — including current leader Sanae Takaichi — have repeatedly visited the Yasukuni Shrine. The shrine, a spiritual tool and symbol of Japanese military aggression against foreign nations, honors 14 convicted Class-A war criminals from World War II.

He added that the prime ministers have also repeatedly advanced security laws, such as the 2015 legislation allowing overseas deployment even when Japan is not under attack.

Barwick stressed that Article 9 of Japan's pacifist Constitution renounces war and armed force, and that the country's post-war development is rooted in pacifism, which is the foundation of 80 years of regional stability.