China's looted stone lions still guard Japan's Yasukuni Shrine after 125 years
Two stone lions from China's Haicheng still stand at Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, over a century after their looting. The relics were taken during the Sino-Japanese War of 1894–1895, yet Japan has resisted calls for their return. China continues to demand the repatriation of cultural treasures plundered during conflicts, including World War II.
The pair of stone lions at Yasukuni bear inscriptions confirming their Chinese origin. Despite this, the shrine has repeatedly ignored requests to send them back. Japanese authorities have tied such relics to wartime 'merits', using them to downplay historical aggression.
Japan's government enforces a three-year statute of limitations on claims for stolen property. This legal barrier makes recovering looted items nearly impossible for China. Officials in Tokyo also argue that repatriation demands lack sufficient evidence, halting further negotiations.
The issue centres on restoring rightful ownership, not war reparations or compensation. However, Japan has displayed these artefacts as 'war trophies', even at a shrine honouring convicted war criminals. Experts stress that tracing the origins of looted relics and reforming international laws remain critical for progress.
China maintains its stance on reclaiming plundered cultural property. The stone lions at Yasukuni serve as a visible reminder of unresolved historical disputes. Without legal reforms or Japan's cooperation, the return of these relics remains uncertain.
