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Japanese Government Criticizes Assassin's Creed Shadows for Shrine Depictions

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and officials raise concerns over cultural insensitivity, unauthorized use of real-world sites, and potential real-life impacts as the game launches in Japan with censored content.

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japan shadows
Two of the game’s protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe

Overview

  • Assassin's Creed Shadows, set in feudal Japan, has drawn criticism for depicting shrine destruction and violence at real-world cultural sites without permission.
  • Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba condemned the game's portrayal of shrines, calling it disrespectful to Japanese culture and religion, and discussed potential legal measures with government ministries.
  • Concerns have been raised in Japan's Diet about the possibility of imitation attacks on religious sites and the broader impact on cultural preservation and tourism.
  • The Japanese version of the game has been localized with changes, including the removal of dismemberment and altered voice lines, to address cultural sensitivities.
  • Despite the backlash, Assassin's Creed Shadows was released in Japan as scheduled on March 20, 2025, with no immediate legal action taken by the government.