Ishiba sends offering to Yasukuni Shrine ahead of election

Wow. So it's a head of LDP/Prime Minister thing.

It was Ishiba's first-ever such offering, his office said.

The shrine includes 14 Japanese wartime leaders convicted as war criminals by an Allied tribunal among the 2.5 million war dead honored there. Offerings to the shrine - a rite commonly made to coincide with autumn and spring festivals - by Japanese prime ministers have often angered South Korea and China.

It was Ishiba's first-ever such offering, his office said.

Paying obeisance to the LDP clique of militarist legacy hereditary leaders: Mission Complete.

Ishiba is ready to assume office after the rubber stamp election.

Triggered much? Please point out the fallacy of my statement.

My wife is telling me that Japanese media reports that Ishiba sent the offering as the PM of Japan not as a private citizen.

Yet they will win again because voters are apathetic or uneducated (intentionally in the schooling system here). Honestly voting here should be compulsory but that would hurt the LDP so they will never do it.

Prior article someone said he would do that. Nailed it. Why these Japanese old politicians can’t understand and respect honoring war criminal's enshrined there disgraceful and dishonors the soldiers there who died based on their orders. After America brought peace to Japan by winning, the old politicians have forgotten what horrible things these people did. Japans politicians just don’t know how to get along and have any basic common sense. When I recently looked at his cabinet ministers photos up close I just said, are they the best Japan can do. If yes the country is doomed sooner then later

リッチToday  02:30 pm JST

Prior article someone said he would do that. Nailed it. Why these Japanese old politicians can’t understand and respect honoring war criminal's enshrined there disgraceful and dishonors the soldiers there who died based on their orders.

That nations that Japan fought in WWII have no issues with Yasukuni with or without the 14 Class A War Criminals out of the 2.5 million names enshrined there since 1868 exposes the irrelevancy to todays's geopolitics. That includes the Republic of China which Imperial Japan invaded in 1937.

The only complaints come from the P.R.C. ("China") which did not even exist until 4 years after WWII ended, and a segment of South Korea which was part of th Japanese Empire 1910-1945. There are 21,181 Koreans enshrined at Yasukuni, and 11 of them are Class B and Class C War Criminals.

Yasukuni is merely a political and diplomatic tool used by China (PRC) and a segment of South Korea. Both nations have pulled back on their efforts in recent years, but the media continue to report it like before.

If J-politicians do or do not visit or send offerings, they are playing only to their domestic audience.

What was the ‘offering’ ?

From the photo 内閣総理大臣石破茂 The first offering from a Prime Minster, paid by Japanese tax dollars mind you, since Abe I believe.

OssanAmericaToday  02:54 pm JST

If J-politicians do or do not visit or send offerings, they are playing only to their domestic audience.

They're certainly not doing it out of any personal religious convictions. It's as much a tool for them as it is for the Chinese or Koreans, it just serves different but entirely self-serving purposes.

Seriously, what was the offering? Now I’m curious.

You cannot be a private citizen once you are the prime minister of a country. If you're caught breaking the law, or visiting disaster hit area or peninsula, it would be the prime minister, not a private citizen, that does so.

“ Sanae Takaichi, former economic security minister , who ran against Ishiba in the race for the LDP presidency, visited the shrine on Thursday morning. “

•

Here’s someone who isn’t afraid to actually go there, someone who doesn’t care what foreigners think of Yasukuni Shrine, one of the most important places in Japan…

…

(millions of people hope you stay alert, Takaichi (I have a feeling Ishiba’s little adventure will be short)).

That awful place should be demolished.

Simon FostonToday  03:11 pm JST

OssanAmericaToday  02:54 pm JST

If J-politicians do or do not visit or send offerings, they are playing only to their domestic audience.

They're certainly not doing it out of any personal religious convictions. It's as much a tool for them as it is for the Chinese or Koreans, it just serves different but entirely self-serving purposes.

You're right in that there is no personal religious conviction involved. The Japanese are one of, if not the most secular people in the world. They do it for "cultural convictions", ie; cater to the general population and tradition.

While J-politicians certainly use Yasukini visits and offerings as a political tool, the practice goes back to the 1800s. It wasn't just created a couple of decades ago, nor does it address a practice in a foreign country. This differentiates it from the use by China and a segment of South Korea.

OssanAmericaToday  05:20 pm JST

You're right in that there is no personal religious conviction involved. The Japanese are one of, if not the most secular people in the world. They do it for "cultural convictions", ie; cater to the general population and tradition.

I thought the politicians did it for the PR.

While J-politicians certainly use Yasukini visits and offerings as a political tool, the practice goes back to the 1800s.

During part of that period Shinto was the established state religion so wouldn't it have been required. Now it is definitely not part of the job description.

It wasn't just created a couple of decades ago, nor does it address a practice in a foreign country. This differentiates it from the use by China and a segment of South Korea.

As it's done to further a self-serving agenda I don't see how that makes it any better.

The government of China condemns Japanese politicians’ on these visits to the Yasukuni Shrine stating "anxieties" over political direction.

This perfidious posturing is a duplicitous political smoke screen, a deviceful act of feigning discontent.

The reality is a sham, to cloud the true intention, the present day realities

The Government of China horror human rights abuses, its own people, the present day dangers of a despot regime intention of invading Taiwan. its belligerence, its constant poking and prodding, sea and air of Japan exclusive economic zone.

The constant threats to the region trading routes

I understand some 70 or so cross party diet politicians visit Yasukuni Shrine, a rather shrinking insignificant number..

My god didn't Japan its people pay for past historic imperialism.

Time to move on, point the finger at the todays reginal authoritarianism tyranny

The government of china, north korea, russia

Simon FostonToday  06:08 pm JST

OssanAmericaToday  05:20 pm JST

You're right in that there is no personal religious conviction involved. The Japanese are one of, if not the most secular people in the world. They do it for "cultural convictions", ie; cater to the general population and tradition.

I thought the politicians did it for the PR.

PR is included.

While J-politicians certainly use Yasukini visits and offerings as a political tool, the practice goes back to the 1800s.

During part of that period Shinto was the established state religion so wouldn't it have been required. Now it is definitely not part of the job description.

Wrong. Visting or sending offerings to the Yasukuni Shrine has never been required of Japanese politicians in the entire history of the Shrine. It has always been voluntary.

It wasn't just created a couple of decades ago, nor does it address a practice in a foreign country. This differentiates it from the use by China and a segment of South Korea.

As it's done to further a self-serving agenda I don't see how that makes it any better.

It's not a matter or "better" or "worse". It's a domestic issue and practice so Japan has every right to do what they make of it. Other nations should not be speaking out on an entirely "internal" matter. Of course they do the utmost to make it an international matter for their own advantage.

Long overdue. Should have visited in person.

quercetumToday 04:37 pm JST

You cannot be a private citizen once you are the prime minister of a country.

Of course you can.

Prime ministers, presidents, and everyone else in public service can and do act in both a public and private capacity, depending on what they're doing. It happens all over the world.

If you're caught breaking the law, or visiting disaster hit area or peninsula, it would be the prime minister, not a private citizen, that does so.

Sending an offering to a shrine is neither, so there is no problem.

quercetumToday 04:37 pm JST

You cannot be a private citizen once you are the prime minister of a country.

Exactly!

Public figures must set an example in behavior, morals, and be politically correct at all times.

Being a Prime Minister isn't a regular 8-hour job; it's a full-time commitment, 24/7.

OssanAmericaToday  07:41 pm JST

Simon FostonToday  06:08 pm JST

"I thought the politicians did it for the PR."

PR is included.

Not just included, I suspect.

Wrong. Visting or sending offerings to the Yasukuni Shrine has never been required of Japanese politicians in the entire history of the Shrine. It has always been voluntary.

Before the current constitution was introduced there was no separation of church and state though, was there, so it didn't matter what capacity politicians went there in. Now it does.

It's not a matter or "better" or "worse". It's a domestic issue and practice so Japan has every right to do what they make of it. Other nations should not be speaking out on an entirely "internal" matter.

Don't Japanese politicians get a bit sniffy when issues like comfort women come up in other countries?

Of course they do the utmost to make it an international matter for their own advantage

The Chinese and Korean politicians are doing it for their own advantage. So are the Japanese politicians and they're the ones making a mockery of religious practices for the sake of PR, cash and votes.

The ways of the old gang continue.

Their country, their rules..

GO JAPAN..

Simon FostonOct. 17  10:14 pm JST

OssanAmericaToday  07:41 pm JST

Simon FostonToday  06:08 pm JST

Wrong. Visting or sending offerings to the Yasukuni Shrine has never been required of Japanese politicians in the entire history of the Shrine. It has always been voluntary.

Before the current constitution was introduced there was no separation of church and state though, was there, so it didn't matter what capacity politicians went there in. Now it does.

Even before WWII there was no requirement for J-politicians to visit or send offerings to the Yasukuni Shrine. However, because Shinto was intertwined with the State, it became a "civic duty" to do one or the other. But it was always voluntary and the Meiji Constitution of 1889 guaranteed freedom of religion. The same freedom of religion is guaranteed in Article 20 of the current 1947 Constitution. Which means that any J-national including politicians can visit or make offerings to the shrine.

OssanAmericaToday  12:17 am JST

Even before WWII there was no requirement for J-politicians to visit or send offerings to the Yasukuni Shrine. However, because Shinto was intertwined with the State, it became a "civic duty" to do one or the other. But it was always voluntary and the Meiji Constitution of 1889 guaranteed freedom of religion. The same freedom of religion is guaranteed in Article 20 of the current 1947 Constitution. Which means that any J-national including politicians can visit or make offerings to the shrine.

I know, and I never said they couldn't. Quite honestly they could visit the place every day and I couldn't care less if it never got reported in the media. However politicians are now not allowed to partake in any religious rites in any sort of official capacity, are they, but they continually blur the lines between private and public for their own benefit. Given that they're basically using the war dead for their own petty selfish purposes I find the whole practice utterly vile, as I do find anyone who condones it.

Looks like it's part of a deal Ishiba had to do to get the votes to become LDP president? Send an offering before the election, so for the fall festival, or we go with Takaichi? Otherwise doing it for the first time ever now, doesn't really make much sense.

That nations that Japan fought in WWII have no issues with Yasukuni 

China certainly "fought" in WW2, and lost 20 million people, mostly civilians, when Japan tried to take over and subjugate the country, No country, apart from the Soviet Union, suffered more in WW2 than China. So, yeah, they've got an issue when Japan's leaders today pay tribute to a "shrine" that glorifies Japan's murderous devastation of their people and land.

2 years before, the then PM Kishida ignored public opposition, steamrolled unprecedented state funeral self-righteously.

Present Japan's PM seems to must continue to satisfy noisy far-rights until LDP drops from ruling party.

JeffLeeToday  06:17 am JST

"That nations that Japan fought in WWII have no issues with Yasukuni"

China certainly "fought" in WW2, and lost 20 million people, mostly civilians, when Japan tried to take over and subjugate the country.

The weaselly response to that comment is that the Republic of China fought in WW2, the People's Republic of China didn't because it didn't exist at that time. By that logic of course, Germany, Italy, France and Russia didn't fight in WW2 either.

rcchOct. 17  05:00 pm JST

“ Sanae Takaichi, former economic security minister , who ran against Ishiba in the race for the LDP presidency, visited the shrine on Thursday morning. “•

Here’s someone who isn’t afraid to actually go there, someone who doesn’t care what foreigners think of Yasukuni Shrine, one of the most important places in Japan…

Never mind that she seems to be useless at everything else.

JeffLeeToday  06:17 am JST

That nations that Japan fought in WWII have no issues with Yasukuni 

China certainly "fought" in WW2, and lost 20 million people, mostly civilians, when Japan tried to take over and subjugate the country,

Quite so. The government isn't the nation or the country, the land and the people are. What politicians do or don't have issues with is immaterial.

I have gone there several times, including on August 15th; prayed for all the souls of the deceased, and for an end to such needless savagery, suffering; and for forgiveness. My father was a WWII US Army officer veteran, and my parents knew many dear friends who died in that war. He was lucky enough to have remained stateside, not sent overseas, and he never killed another soul. So lucky to have avoided that, a stain on one’s soul.

Simon FostonOct. 18  09:33 am JST

JeffLeeToday  06:17 am JST

"That nations that Japan fought in WWII have no issues with Yasukuni"

China certainly "fought" in WW2, and lost 20 million people, mostly civilians, when Japan tried to take over and subjugate the country.

The weaselly response to that comment is that the Republic of China fought in WW2, the People's Republic of China didn't because it didn't exist at that time. By that logic of course, Germany, Italy, France and Russia didn't fight in WW2 either.

Nothing "weasely" about historical facts.

The governments of Germany, Italy amd Russia that fought WWII existed during WWII.

The government of the PRC did not.

OssanAmericaOct. 20  05:45 pm JST

Nothing "weasely" about historical facts.

Of course not. There are no "weaselly facts." Just weaselly arguments and comments.