During an official government conference, Shigeru Ishiba, the Prime Minister of Japan, addressed concerns about Ubisoft's game, Assassin's Creed Shadows, which is set in Feudal Japan. Contrary to some reports suggesting a strong criticism, the Prime Minister's response was more nuanced. IGN, in collaboration with IGN Japan, provided an accurate translation and contextual understanding of the situation, and also reached out to Ubisoft for their comments.
Ubisoft has previously apologized for various aspects of the game and its marketing that upset some members of the Japanese community. The game, while not aiming to be a factual representation of history, has been described by Ubisoft as "a compelling, historical fiction." Despite their efforts to collaborate with historians and consultants, Ubisoft acknowledged that certain promotional materials caused concern and issued an apology for using a flag from a Japanese historical re-enactment group without permission. Additionally, the collectible figure maker PureArts pulled an Assassin's Creed Shadows statue from sale due to its depiction of a one-legged Torii gate, which was seen as offensive by some, as Torii gates signify the boundary between the human and sacred worlds.
With the backdrop of controversy not only in Japan but also among some western fans, the game's depiction of the country has been a point of contention. Japanese politician Hiroyuki Kada, a member of the House of Councillors, raised concerns about the game's potential impact on real-world behavior. He expressed fears that allowing players to attack and destroy real-world locations in the game could encourage similar acts in reality, particularly worrying shrine officials and local residents. Kada emphasized the importance of respecting local cultures while acknowledging the value of freedom of expression.
Prime Minister Ishiba responded by suggesting a legal discussion with relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He firmly stated that defacing a shrine is unacceptable and an insult to the nation, drawing a parallel to the cultural training provided to the Self-Defense Forces before their deployment to Iraq. Ishiba stressed the fundamental importance of respecting a country's culture and religion.
The context of this discussion is important, as Japan has experienced a surge in international visitors post-COVID, alongside a weak yen. Politician Hiroyuki Kada linked his concerns about Assassin's Creed Shadows to issues of "over tourism" and increased vandalism in Japan. He specifically mentioned the Itatehyozu Shrine in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, within his constituency, which appears in the game without permission from shrine representatives.
While Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Masaki Ogushi mentioned that government agencies would collaborate if the shrine seeks consultation, the likelihood of any specific action remains uncertain, especially given Ubisoft's proactive approach with a day-one patch. This patch, set to be implemented upon the game's release on March 20, will make certain in-game shrine elements indestructible and reduce depictions of bloodshed in sacred spaces. Ubisoft has also confirmed that attacking unarmed NPCs will no longer show blood. IGN has sought clarification from Ubisoft on whether these changes are Japan-specific.
Assassin's Creed Shadows faces significant pressure to succeed globally for Ubisoft, following delays and the commercial disappointment of Star Wars Outlaws. Ubisoft has faced numerous challenges, including high-profile flops, layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations leading up to the release of Shadows. IGN's review of Assassin's Creed Shadows gave it an 8/10, praising its refinement of the open-world gameplay style Ubisoft has developed over the past decade.
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