Although it is not shrine ranking, in order to distinguish Gokoku-jinja Shrine (shrine honoring war dead) between local shrines and shrines under government protection, the latter was classified as Gokoku-jinja Shrine designated by the Minister of Home Affairs.
社格ではないが、護国神社で民立の神社と政府の保護を受けた神社を区別するため、後者を内務大臣指定護国神社とした。