Overview

• A police officer on patrol discovered black-paint slurs defaming former prime minister Shinzo Abe on the Osaka Gokoku Shrine monument late on July 12.
• Chief Priest Fujie Masashige condemned the act as a vile violation of a site frequented by visitors honoring Abe’s legacy.
• Shrine staff fully removed the graffiti ahead of official documentation to preserve the integrity of the memorial.
• The shrine will submit a damage report to the Suminoe station of Osaka Prefectural Police, triggering a criminal investigation.
• The monument, unveiled at Abe’s July 6 memorial service, stands about 140 cm tall and 150 cm wide and features calligraphy by his wife, Akie Abe, alongside his photograph.