"We express deep disappointment and regret that responsible leaders in Japan have repeatedly made offerings to or visited the shrine," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The statement comes after Takaichi sent the offering earlier in the day, her first since taking office in October last year, having previously made regular in-person visits to the shrine. Key Cabinet members and other lawmakers also visited the shrine to pay their respects.
"We urge [Japan] to face history and humbly reflect on its past wrongdoings with sincere remorse," the statement added, saying that this would be an important foundation for building a future-oriented relationship based on mutual trust.
The island country's first female prime minister has sought to restore relations with Seoul through shuttle diplomacy with President Lee Jae Myung, despite her widely known hardline stance on historical issues with South Korea as a key protégé of Abe's political legacies.
But her recent offering to the shrine may again set back efforts to repair strained relations between the neighboring countries over historical issues.
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