Japanese Prime Minister Responds to Assassin’s Creed Shadows Controversy
Recent discussions in Japan’s Diet concerning the video game Assassin’s Creed Shadows have stirred significant attention, with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba addressing the topic amid rising concerns over its portrayal of vandalism, particularly affecting religious sites.
During a session of the House of Councillors Budget Committee on March 19, Ishiba responded to inquiries regarding a controversial in-game scenario. Liberal Democratic Party member Kata Hiroyuki highlighted a specific video where a character named Yasuke is seen destroying an altar and attacking priests, which prompted Ishiba to emphasize the importance of respecting religious structures.
In a machine-translated excerpt from his remarks captured by ITmedia, the Prime Minister stated:
“I would like to discuss with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs what to do legally… It is absolutely unacceptable to graffiti a shrine. It is nothing but an insult to the country.”
Moreover, Ishiba elaborated: “Respecting the culture and religion of a country is natural, and it is imperative to communicate that we will not tolerate any behavior that disrespects a nation’s cultural heritage.”
Examining the Fallout from Ishiba’s Comments
Despite the Prime Minister’s strong statements, Jeffrey J. Hall, a lecturer at Kanada, expressed skepticism about any forthcoming legislative actions. According to Hall, there is a risk that Ishiba’s comments may be misconstrued, giving rise to misinformation regarding a potential ban on the game.
“Be cautious of headlines claiming that the Prime Minister of Japan cannot accept Assassin’s Creed Shadows or considers it an insult to the nation, ” Hall warned.“Ishiba’s remarks clearly pertain to actual acts of vandalism against shrines, not to the game itself.”
As of now, the game is scheduled for release in Japan on March 20, 2025. While a ban appears unlikely, the Japanese version will undergo modifications compared to its international releases.
Wake up, Ubisoft “defender, ” and hear our voice! What kind of Assassin’s Creed game destroys an actual religious site? Japanese culture is consumed but receives no respect. Here is a perfect example.pic.twitter.com/UsfWMgy53n
— Shohei Kondo (@shoheikondo) January 31, 2025
On January 24, Ubisoft Japan announced via Twitter that the Japanese edition of Assassin’s Creed Shadows would exclude graphic depictions of dismemberment, despite receiving an 18+ rating from the CERO, Japan’s video game rating board. In contrast, versions released in other countries feature full dismemberment options, which can be toggled as desired.
In addition to visual censorship, changes will also be made to various voice lines in the Japanese version, although the specific nature of these alterations is yet to be disclosed. Nonetheless, it has been confirmed that Assassin’s Creed Shadows is poised for its release in Japan.
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