Many Abe cabinet members backed by pro-Yasukuni group

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Many Abe cabinet members backed by pro-Yasukuni group

Prime Minister Abe Shinzo as well as many other cabinet ministers received during the general election campaign last year recommendations from the Shinto Association of Spiritual Leadership that calls for state courtesy to the "fallen heroes enshrined at Yasukuni Shrine."

The right-wing political organization, founded in 1969, proclaims that its aim is to "establish a new constitution that the people can take pride in" as well as to revise the Fundamental Law of Education.

In the House of Representatives election in September last year, the organization's headquarters announced its support for 165 candidates. Later, it reported that 157 out of 165 candidates had been elected, and published its victory list.

The list includes Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, Foreign Minister Aso Taro, Education Minister Ibuki Bunmei, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki Yasuhisa, and six other cabinet ministers, as well as LDP Policy Research Council Chair Nakagawa Shoichi.

The organization stated that it supported candidates who would take on an active role in revising the Constitution and the Fundamental Law of Education.
- Akahata, September 29, 2006