Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2013 September 18 - 24 [PEACE]

Buddhist group conducts memorial service based on remorse for cooperation in war of aggression

In deep remorse over its war cooperation, the Hongwanji denomination of Shin Buddhism (Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha) conducted a memorial service for all who died in Japan’s past war of aggression.

The group holds this event at the national cemetery for those who perished in the war in central Tokyo annually on September 18, the day the Liutiaohu incident, the trigger for Japan’s aggressive war against China, took place in 1931. The group carried out its 33rd service this year.

Explaining the aim of hosting the memorial ceremony, the group expressed its determination “to learn from the group’s past mistake of cooperating in the war of aggression and to renew its resolve to help establish a world without war”.

On behalf of the Japanese Communist Party, House of Representatives member Sasaki Kensho attended the ceremony.