yasukuni

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Sense of ministers' remarks on Yasukuni Shrine questioned
Akahata editorial

Japan's prime minister and foreign minister have repeatedly made remarks justifying their Yasukuni Shrine visits and rejecting foreign criticism.

Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro on November 30 said: "I've visited Yasukuni Shrine in my personal capacity as Koizumi Jun'ichiro, a prime minister. I did not see why I have to be criticized by the Japanese public, much less by China, South Korea, and other foreign countries."

Foreign Minister Aso Taro on November 26 said, "I've never heard of any other countries, except for China and South Korea, making critical statements about the prime minister's Yasukuni visits. That's nothing to worry about."

Their attitudes are contrary to the constitutional principles as well as a common sense understanding of international politics and public interests.

Confronting critics without reflection

Even after the war, Yasukuni Shrine has made no reflection on its own role in mobilizing the people for the war of aggression. The shrine is still adhering to the view of history that the Japanese war was in self-defense and a war for the liberation of Asia.

Japan in this war of aggression killed more than 20 million Asian people. By glorifying the war as "just,' the shrine is digging the basis of the postwar Constitution which was based on a firm reflection on the war of aggression. This means that the shrine opposes the basic framework of world politics established on the denunciation of the war of aggression.

That is why in his answers to questions from the Japanese Communist Party referring to the reality of the shrine's historical view, Koizumi was obliged to answer that his government's view is different from Yasukuni Shrine's.

However, his five consecutive visits to Yasukuni Shrine actually meant endorsing the extraordinary historical view of the shrine. This completely contradicts his statements in parliament and is thus unjustifiable. In a speech he delivered at the Asia-Africa Summit in Jakarta on April 22, 2005, he expressed "deep remorse" and "heartfelt apology" for Japan's colonial aggression that caused tremendous damage and suffering for the people of many countries, particularly those of Asian nations." He says one thing and does another.

The peoples of Asia, who sustained enormous damage and underwent much suffering, feel they are twice victimized and are beginning to raise voices of criticism. Can a prime minister who does not understand this maintain good relations with the peoples of Asia? Economic, cultural, sports, and academic exchanges are increasing between Japan and other Asian countries. Prime Minister Koizumi's speeches and deeds hinder these exchanges. Foreign Minister Aso's arrogant and provocative "Don't worry about it" remark is an expression of his attitude of looking down upon China and South Korea. His morals must be called into question as well as his diplomatic sensitivity.

As a matter of fact, foreign criticism of Koizumi's Yasukuni Shrine visits are not only from China and South Korea. Even in the United States, the only country the Koizumi Cabinet can count on, criticism arose. The New York Times reported that "this visit is a calculated affront to the descendants of those victimized by Japanese crimes." President Bush in a speech said that in the Pacific War, Tokyo "simply replaced western colonialism with a version that was often more harsh and repressive." This is his refutation of the argument justifying Japan's war of aggression as a war for emancipating Asia. The prime minister's visit to Yasukuni Shrine, a shrine with a historical outlook that the war was justifiable will alienate Japan in the international community.

Overcome glorification of aggression

The countries of Asia that Japan once invaded and colonized have achieved independence and are increasing their mutual and voluntary cooperation with each other in promoting peace and co-existence.

To achieve a hopeful future for Japan, it is essential for Japan to develop relations of peace and cooperation with Asian countries that are making efforts to move from war to peace, from subordination to independence, and from division to unity. In this process, it is necessary for the Japanese people to force the prime minister to end his visits to Yasukuni Shrine that endorse the glorification of the war of aggression by using the force of public opinion and the strength of social movements.
- Akahata, December 5, 2005