Shigeru Ishiba, Japan’s Prime Minister, recently addressed concerns about Assassin’s Creed Shadows during a government conference. While some reports suggested he criticized Ubisoft's depiction of Feudal Japan, the actual exchange was more nuanced.
IGN collaborated with IGN Japan to provide an accurate translation and context for the discussion surrounding the game. We’ve also reached out to Ubisoft for further comment.
To recap, Ubisoft has issued multiple apologies ahead of Shadows’ delayed launch due to backlash from certain segments of the Japanese public.
Some players voiced concerns over historical inaccuracies in the game’s portrayal of Feudal Japan, prompting the development team to clarify that the title is not intended as a historically accurate simulation but rather “a compelling, historical fiction.” Ubisoft emphasized its collaboration with historians and cultural consultants, acknowledging that despite these efforts, some promotional materials caused concern within the Japanese community. The studio offered a sincere apology for those missteps.
Controversy also arose when Ubisoft used a flag belonging to a Japanese historical reenactment group in the game’s artwork without permission—another issue for which the company apologized.
Additionally, collectible figure maker PureArts withdrew a Shadows-themed statue featuring a one-legged Torii gate, which some found insensitive. Torii gates are sacred markers often found near Shinto shrines, signifying the boundary between the mundane and the spiritual. The one-legged variant holds particular significance, notably at Nagasaki’s Sannō Shrine, located just 900 meters from the WWII atomic bomb’s hypocenter.
Given this backdrop, Assassin’s Creed Shadows enters release with some controversy—not only in Japan but among Western audiences concerned about how the game portrays the country.
The question was raised by Hiroyuki Kada, a member of Japan’s House of Councillors and candidate for re-election this summer:
“I fear that allowing players to attack and destroy real-world locations in the game without permission could encourage similar behavior in real life. Shrine officials and local residents have expressed concern. Of course, freedom of expression must be respected, but acts that demean local cultures should be avoided.”
Prime Minister Ishiba responded:
“How to address this legally is something we need 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.
“Defacing a shrine is out of the question—it is an insult to the nation itself. When the Self-Defense Forces were deployed to Samawah, Iraq, we ensured they studied Islamic customs beforehand. Respecting the culture and religion of a country is fundamental, and we must make it clear that we will not simply accept acts that disregard them.”
These translations accurately reflect the dialogue, but understanding the broader context is key. As reported by IGN Japan, Japan has experienced a surge in international tourism since reopening post-pandemic, coupled with a weak yen making the country more affordable for travelers. During the budget meeting, Kada linked his concerns about Shadows with what he described as “overtourism” and a rise in vandalism and graffiti.
His argument hinges on the idea that if players can virtually deface temples or use katanas against individuals in-game, they may be inspired to do so in real life—a familiar debate akin to longstanding discussions around games like Call of Duty or Grand Theft Auto influencing copycat violence.
Prime Minister Ishiba made it clear that he opposes any such real-life actions, though his comments focused on hypothetical scenarios rather than condemning the game outright.
The shrine shown being damaged in gameplay videos is the Itatehyozu Shrine in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture—located within Kada’s constituency. He stated that shrine representatives confirmed Ubisoft did not seek permission to feature the shrine or use its name in the game.
Masaki Ogushi, Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, noted that government agencies would work together "if the shrine seeks consultation," though again, that remains conditional. Given Japan’s constitutional protections for artistic expression, Ubisoft likely has legal grounds to include such elements regardless.
Overall, both responses were noncommittal and unlikely to lead to concrete action. Notably, Ubisoft appears to have already taken steps to address these concerns via a day-one patch—perhaps showing more cultural sensitivity than Kada acknowledged.
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Details of this patch emerged today in Japan, though Ubisoft’s Western office has yet to officially confirm it. According to Automaton, changes will go into effect upon the game’s March 20 release.
Reportedly, the day-one update will make tables and shelving inside shrines indestructible and reduce depictions of bloodshed within sacred spaces. Additionally, attacking unarmed NPCs will no longer show blood effects. IGN has contacted Ubisoft regarding this patch and whether it is exclusive to the Japanese version.
Regardless of how the game performs in Japan, there is immense pressure on Assassin’s Creed Shadows to succeed globally. Following several delays and the commercial underperformance of last year’s Star Wars Outlaws, Ubisoft has faced significant challenges—including high-profile flops, layoffs, studio closures, and canceled projects.
IGN’s review of Assassin’s Creed Shadows awarded it an 8/10, stating: “By sharpening the edges of its existing systems, Assassin’s Creed Shadows creates one of the best versions of the open-world style it’s been honing for the last decade.”
