Shigeru Ishiba, the Prime Minister of Japan, addressed concerns about Ubisoft's Assassin’s Creed Shadows during an official government conference meeting. Contrary to some reports, his response was not a direct attack on the game or its developer, but rather a thoughtful consideration of the broader implications of video game content.
IGN collaborated with IGN Japan to provide an accurate translation and context for the exchange. Ubisoft has previously issued several apologies related to Assassin’s Creed Shadows, acknowledging issues with the game's depiction of Feudal Japan and its marketing materials. The company emphasized its efforts to work with consultants and historians, yet admitted that some elements had caused concern among the Japanese community.
Additional controversy arose when Ubisoft used a flag from a Japanese historical re-enactment group without permission in promotional artwork. Moreover, a collectible figure maker, PureArts, withdrew an Assassin’s Creed Shadows statue from sale due to its depiction of a one-legged Torii gate, which holds significant cultural meaning, particularly at the Sannō Shrine in Nagasaki.
Amid these controversies, the game faces scrutiny not only in Japan but also among some Western fans concerned about its portrayal of the country. The question regarding Assassin’s Creed Shadows was posed by Japanese politician Hiroyuki Kada, who expressed fears that the game's depiction of real-world locations could encourage similar actions in reality. He stated, “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 are also worried about this. 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.”
Shigeru Ishiba, the Prime Minister of Japan, responded to a question about Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images.
The context provided by IGN Japan reveals that Japan is currently experiencing a surge in tourism following the country's reopening post-COVID and the weak yen. Politician Hiroyuki Kada linked his concerns about Assassin’s Creed Shadows with the issue of "over tourism" and perceived increases in vandalism and graffiti. He worried that the game's actions, such as defacing temples or using weapons, might inspire similar behavior among tourists visiting Japan.
Ishiba's comments focused on potential real-life copycat actions rather than the game itself. The shrine depicted in the game's videos, Itatehyozu Shrine in Himeji, falls within Kada’s constituency, and he claimed that Ubisoft did not obtain permission to use it.
Masaki Ogushi, Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, mentioned that government agencies would handle matters if the shrine sought consultation, though this remains hypothetical. Under Japan's Constitution, Ubisoft's use of the shrine in a work of art is likely permissible. The responses from both ministers were vague and unlikely to lead to specific actions, especially given Ubisoft's proactive approach with a day-one patch addressing some of these concerns.
News of this day-one patch, set to be implemented upon the game's release on March 20, emerged in Japan. According to Automaton, the patch will make certain shrine elements indestructible and reduce non-essential depictions of bloodshed in shrines and temples, as well as remove blood from attacks on unarmed NPCs. IGN has inquired about this patch and whether it is Japan-specific.
Despite these challenges, Assassin's Creed Shadows faces significant pressure to succeed globally following Ubisoft's recent setbacks, including delays, the sales failure of Star Wars Outlaws, high-profile flops, layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations.
IGN's review of Assassin’s Creed Shadows awarded it an 8/10, praising it as "one of the best versions of the open-world style it’s been honing for the last decade" due to its refined systems.
