Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba recently addressed concerns about Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows during an official government conference. The game, set in feudal Japan, has sparked debate about its portrayal of Japanese shrines and cultural elements.
What Actually Happened
Despite some reports suggesting Prime Minister Ishiba criticized the game directly, the reality is more nuanced. When Japanese politician Hiroyuki Kada raised concerns about the game potentially inspiring tourists to damage real-world shrines, Ishiba responded:
“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.”
The Prime Minister’s comments were directed at hypothetical real-life vandalism rather than the game itself. He suggested that addressing these concerns would require discussion with various government ministries.
Context Matters
This exchange happened against the backdrop of Japan experiencing record numbers of international tourists following border reopenings and the weak yen. Politician Kada connected his complaints about the game with broader concerns about “over tourism” and a perceived rise in vandalism.
Kada claimed shrine officials from his constituency were worried about the game’s depiction of the Itatehyozu Shrine, which he said was included without permission.
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Ubisoft’s Response
Ubisoft has already addressed these cultural sensitivity concerns with a day-one patch that makes several notable changes:
- Tables and shelving in in-game shrines will be indestructible
- Blood depictions in shrines and temples will be reduced
- Attacks on unarmed NPCs will no longer show blood
The company previously apologized for aspects of the game that caused concern within the Japanese community, stating that while the game is “historical fiction” rather than a factual representation, they acknowledge the concerns raised.
Game Features and Reception
Beyond the controversy, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been praised for its visual quality and gameplay. The game features:
- Dual protagonists: Naoe (a shinobi assassin) and Yasuke (based on the historical African samurai)
- A detailed feudal Japan setting with historical elements
- A mix of stealth mechanics and combat options
- RPG elements including skill trees and loot systems
IGN awarded the game an 8/10, noting: “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.”
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba did not ban the game. His comments were directed at hypothetical real-life vandalism rather than the game itself. He expressed concerns about potential tourists damaging real-world shrines after being influenced by the game, but did not call for any ban or censorship of the game.
The main cultural concerns focused on the game’s depiction of Japanese shrines and religious sites. Politician Hiroyuki Kada specifically mentioned the Itatehyozu Shrine, claiming it was included without permission. There were also broader concerns about whether the game might inspire disrespectful behavior from international tourists visiting actual Japanese shrines and cultural sites.
Ubisoft acknowledged the concerns and released a day-one patch that makes several changes to address cultural sensitivity issues: tables and shelving in in-game shrines are now indestructible, blood depictions in shrines and temples have been reduced, and attacks on unarmed NPCs no longer show blood. The company also issued an apology, clarifying that while the game is “historical fiction” rather than a factual representation, they take the concerns seriously.
Yes, Assassin’s Creed Shadows remains available for purchase in Japan. Despite the controversy, there has been no official action to remove or ban the game from the Japanese market. The concerns raised by officials were primarily about potential real-world consequences rather than the game content itself.
The “over tourism” issue refers to Japan experiencing record numbers of international tourists following border reopenings and the weak yen. Politician Kada connected his complaints about the game with these broader concerns about increased tourism and a perceived rise in vandalism at cultural sites. The timing of the game’s release coincides with Japan dealing with challenges related to managing large numbers of visitors at historical and religious sites.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows features dual protagonists: Naoe, a shinobi assassin, and Yasuke, a character based on the historical African samurai who served under daimyo Oda Nobunaga in the 16th century. The game allows players to switch between these two characters, each with their own unique abilities and fighting styles in the feudal Japan setting.