Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has reportedly paid a visit to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine.

According to Kyodo News, Abe visited the shrine on Sunday, August 15, marking the 76th anniversary of the end of World War Two.

It is the fourth time the former prime minister visited the shrine, which honors Japan's war dead, since his resignation in September last year.

Meanwhile, five Cabinet ministers of the Suga administration, reportedly visited the war shrine in Tokyo around the anniversary.

Kyodo News said that the ministers of environment, education and expo visited the shrine on Sunday before Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi and Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura visited on Friday.

Suga reportedly sent offerings to the shrine instead of visiting in person.