Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, a place of remembrance for Japan’s war dead, was once again targeted by vandals overnight on Monday. The shrine expressed disappointment in a statement, condemning the act that aimed to disrespect its dignity. Earlier this year, in May, a stone pillar at Yasukuni was painted red, leading to the arrest of a Chinese suspect in July. Both the police and the shrine mentioned that details of the recent vandalism are not being disclosed as investigations are ongoing. Reports from Japanese media revealed graffiti reading “toilet” in Chinese, written using black markers, was discovered on a stone pillar near the shrine’s arch on Monday morning.

Yasukuni Shrine, which houses the remains of 2.5 million Japanese war dead, including convicted Class A war criminals like Hideki Tojo, is viewed as a symbol of militarism by nations in Asia that suffered from Japanese aggression during World War II. The shrine, known for its striking architecture and housing memorials and museums for kamikaze pilots, draws attention annually on August 15, the date of Japan’s surrender in World War II. On this day, Japanese politicians visit Yasukuni to pay respects to the fallen, while ordinary citizens also visit to honor their loved ones, regardless of political affiliations.

Despite Defense Minister Minoru Kihara’s visit to Yasukuni this year, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who will not seek reelection next month, opted to send an offering instead of going in person. Both Emperor Naruhito and his late father Akihito have refrained from visiting Yasukuni. Japanese law stipulates a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine of 300,000 yen (about $2,000) for property damage offenses.