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New internal affairs minister says she will visit Yasukuni Shrine

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Just because you add women to the cabinet doesn't mean there are going to be any changes. All were hand picked by Abe to continue his own agenda. Status quo is still the name of the game. To add, imagine a progressive thinking female manager in corporate Japan trying to make changes, think that is going to sit well with the ossan? All window dressing.

23 ( +28 / -6 )

This has always been a controversial issue and continues to be debated however a moratorium should be made on visits to the Yasukuni Jinja by any serving cabinet minister. Even Emperor Hirohito who at one time was the head of the Shinto state stopped visiting Yasukuni Jinja and thereafter his son, Emperor Akihito has maintained the imperial house embargo on visits. Simply if Japan wants to improve relationships with China and Korea changes will have to be made because they will never accept Yasukuni Jinja.

15 ( +21 / -6 )

Yasukuni Shrine is a weird place with nationalist roots.

After WW2 it has become even weirder.

The government has left commemorating the war dead to a bunch of religious weirdos so it should be no surprise that they've ended up with a weird place.

Add to that the ridiculously biased Yuushuukan and... well... you've got a place that is verging on comedy.

And a weird place will attract weird people such as the WW2 cosplayers who frequently hang out there.

It is sad for the families who lost loved ones that they have this circus around what should be a simple and moving place to pray.

13 ( +18 / -5 )

Dumb woman. But I'm sure going to Yasukuni was one of the requirements for the job.

12 ( +19 / -7 )

Wasn't she one of the politicians who opposed women from having the choice of sticking with their maiden names after marrying and not having to adopt their husbands' names? A woman opposed to the freedoms of other women? And isn't she that politician with horrible brown teeth?

ossan:

Funny how the only two countries that whine about shrine visits are not on the list of Allies. Nationalist China (Taiwan) does not bother with this nonsense

There were plenty of Taiwanese unhappy with the shrine, especially the Taiwanese aborigines who we all know were treated terribly by the Japanese invaders. Some wanted to have their relatives' names removed from the shrine but were outright rejected.

12 ( +17 / -5 )

Ha ha ha ha ha.

So the Cabinet Reshuffle was all about.....Yasukuni.

11 ( +18 / -7 )

Ossan: "Funny how the only two countries that whine about shrine visits are not on the list of Allies."

Actually, many countries voice out against Japanese ministers -- and especially the PM -- not owning up to history and visiting Yasukuni, etc., including your native land. Or did you miss all the monuments to comfort women going up in the US and the UN saying Japan needs to own up to its past? Visiting Yasukuni is not an 'internal' or 'private' issue when they announce to the media they are going to visit, and do so in an official capacity and knowing full-well it will upset a lot of people. But we all know Abe picked people who would tow the party line, so I guess she's just doing her job to ensure she's not kicked out too soon. She's obviously not qualified for the position she was put in, since it seems her priority is to make things hard internally for the nation as well as externally.

11 ( +24 / -13 )

There is no evidence that "spirits" exist and there is evidence that it is very unlikely that a person's personality or self can survive death. That these politicians express a belief in magic people is troubling. They should be more rational and act more rationally.

8 ( +16 / -8 )

facepalm

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Here's an idea. Sugamo prison, which is where most (all?) of the Class A War criminals were interred and executed was where the Sunshine building in Ikebukuro now is. Maybe politicians like Ms Takaichi can go there instead, do a little shopping for the departed souls, get a Katsu Curry, stand in front of the little plaque there and save everyone else a whole lot of grief.

7 ( +15 / -8 )

I think all politicians and bureaucrats should be banned from all commemoration sites and cemeteries in all countries. They're the ones responsible for starting the slaughter in all wars, not the military or civilians.

6 ( +19 / -12 )

Find her outspoken position on Yasukubi issues. She is the only one who openly speak that Manchuria and Chinese wars are defence action in maybe in entire Japan. A moderator tried to calm her at one meeting and she yelled your kind of paerson does not have right to wear Diet member badge and debate Yasukuni. when moderator went to apology that he should not stop her to talk. She scares everybody. She was in USA a couple years worked for free volunteer job at Patricia Schroder;s office. She came back to Japan, became a politician, LDP did not want her so Mushodoku for a quite while. There are other episodes that will make you understand why male LlDP members are scared of her/

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Could you please let both the dead and this nation rest in peace? Your visit is going to bring much restlessness and turmoil to many souls. So are you brave or bravely foolish? I wonder.

5 ( +11 / -6 )

Ossan: "Funny how the only two countries that whine about shrine visits are not on the list of Allies."

Actually, many countries voice out against Japanese ministers -- and especially the PM -- not owning up to history and visiting Yasukuni, etc., including your native land. Or did you miss all the monuments to comfort women going up in the US and the UN saying Japan needs to own up to its past?

smithinjapan -- please don't bother confusing Ossan with facts or even logic. I mean China is only Japan's #1 trading partner, and SK is part of an important American-led, three-way defense alliance with Japan. So what if they whine a little.

OssanAmerica said: "It's actually China and South Korea that is expressing a belief in magic people. Otherwise shrine visits would not bother them."

It's actually Japan that built the dang shrine dedicated to this superstition, or did you not know what it's for?

slowguy2 -- same advice for you. Pointing out flaws in the China and SK-hater's arguments is pointless.

5 ( +11 / -6 )

See, women are equal to men. Equally as ignorant.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Ossan: "Only China (PRC) and South Korea make anti-Japan sentiment, including complaining about Japanese politicians visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, an official diplomatic and political tool."

Wrong and wrong. As has been pointed out, even Taiwain has expressed anger at visits and tried to have names removed from the shrine but were refused. So, before you go talking about facts, how about doing just that and not buying so easily into the white-washed fiction?

"Neither the PRC or ROK were even in existence when WWII ended in 1945 and certainly were not members of the victorious Allied powers who conducted the International Tribunal for the Far East which charged tried and convicted the Class-A War Criminals."

And the Japan of today likewise was absolutely NOTHING like it was today, was it? The Japan of today is democratic -- thanks to the US -- very economically oriented -- thanks to the Allied powers it modeled after, etc. The two you always harp on still have very much the right to voice opposition to the visit given the fact -- and yes, it's a fact, Ossan, that Yasukuni also houses the spirits of more than ONE THOUSAND war criminals who brought about immense suffering, from raping women and children to chemical weapons testing on live victims, to just plain brutal massacres (all things you like to deny).

This woman is a tool, in all respects of the word. Nigelboy and others can try and deflect by saying others use Yasukuni as a tool for political purposes and somehow claim Japan is the only nation not in the wrong for doing so, but they are wrong; Japan is being just as childish, and even moreso since the onus is on them to visit or not (and by not improve relations).

5 ( +14 / -9 )

OssanAmerica said: "It's actually China and South Korea that is expressing a belief in magic people. Otherwise shrine visits would not bother them."

It's actually Japan that built the dang shrine dedicated to this superstition, or did you not know what it's for?

4 ( +11 / -7 )

To be an LDP politician and especially in the cabinet a Yasukuni visit is mandatory. Especially handpicked by Shinzo-kun.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I've been visiting Yasukuni as one Japanese individual to offer my sincere appreciation to the spirits of war dead,

Continue to do so, but don't encourage a media circus the next time you visit the shrine, i.e., just go, without telling TV, newspapers, etc., when you're going.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

"Stupid is as stupid does".

3 ( +7 / -4 )

One incident that she did not know what to say. That was the same year Yanagizawa was embarasses. Her SP got caught on touching thr buttock of a female college student in tram car. Then witnesses got injured by this police. How come she is so good in argueing? After she came back from USA (not chcool), she became assistant in a two year college so male politicians who are not familiar with USA free speech has no match to her

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Problem with her is she defended those who advocated that there is no such thing as sex slaves during Japan's invasion and occupation in much of Asia.

I don't blame her since she has been a neo-nationalist from the get go without hiding the fact that she disagree with history even admitted by her own party. Meaning she's a ultra right wing racist nut from the core.

That's ok.

What's not ok is Abe knowing who she is and what she advocates and represents still appointed her to an important cabinet post. There are better candidates that has the skill-set and experience for this post but Abe chose her.

Meaning Abe supports her pov and what she represents.

And that's not ok.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

She doesn't even need to comment. Like it or not Japan is a free country

Indeed! Free to shoot itself in the foot again, and again and again forever. Free yes, smart...............no!

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Here is why /J /govt can not remove these A class enshried in Yasukuni.

J Govt does not own Yasukuni. It is a private Shinto Shrine.

Yasukuni is not cemetery,

Only names on kamifudas are enshrined,

Anyone who wants to critic my English without knowing Yasukuni history, go ahead.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@Open MindedSEP. 07, 2014 - 01:35AM JST Bottom line: all these poor soldiers died because of stupid politicians. And these stupid politician have still the obscenity to use the soul of these victims for their own agenda!

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Do you know WW II was over in 1945? Do you know Tojo and others who promoted WW II were military men, not politicians? Do you know a majority of current politicians were not born WW II time? Do you know Japan hasn't engaged for the war for more than 69 years?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

The new defense minister, Akinori Eto, also a member of the lawmakers’ group that advocates visiting the shrine, told a news conference on Wednesday when asked about the shrine he did not want to cause trouble for the government, indicating a more cautious stance.

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She could behave like Eto but she could not keep her mouth shut.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Visit the shrine but, keep it personal. No need to alert the press.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

There's one or two million war dead commemorated there who weren't convicted of anything, have any of the politicians made the point that it was the priests not the politicians who decided to commemorate the Class A's and control the continuance of that? I don't think the politicians should boycott the shrine just because Tojo et al's names are on a scroll there.

Additionally if the politicians want to get rid of the controversy, they likely have the means to take over the shrine as a public monument and configure the honoree lists as they see fit.

I'm pretty sure they don't have the will to do that. Maybe revisionist sentiment is stronger in their party than the public at large? Even to post-war rehabilitation of the Class A's reputations?

2 ( +8 / -7 )

She starts stirring the pot the same week she gets appointed. Nobody really cares if you go or don't go, but publicizing it knowing full well it is gonna P-off your Asian neighbors is just pathetic! It's a form of bullying and should be stopped.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

@turbostat: When Yasukuni was built. any samurais who worked for Shogun side were not included. Just winner side meaning about all Yamaguchi-ken dead samurais were enshrined. Fukushima-ken was Aizu. Their samurais were last Shogun side samurais. The very last teenage samurais looked at fire near castle on Iimori mountain and they did Seppuku (harakiri). and died. Winners side did not let dead soldiers to have funeral. You can see their stories on Byakkotai movies. Imagine young children were the last soldiers who fought for Shogun side. As for Yamaguchi-ken people, in Japan's history they dominated Japanese politics. Half or PM in Japanese history are Yamaguchi-ken related people. Well, Yataro Iwasaki organized Shikoku samurais and won but he felt he would not succeed in politics. So, he became an industrialist. He created Mitsubishi. I heard that descendants of original Tokyo people (Yedo-jin) also avoided Yasukuni,

2 ( +4 / -2 )

>There's one or two million war dead commemorated there who weren't convicted of anything yes but it was some morons in the past that decided to add the class A war criminals to the shrine, if these criminals where placed at a seperate shrine then i doubt there would be any problems today.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

she opposes to spend money to Yasukuni but she prefer to visit with her weird ideas of wars and comfort women, Unlike Suga, she denies existence of comfort women. Suga should bring her to Jsdf€ library.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

toshiko: @turbostat: When Yasukuni was built. any samurais who worked for Shogun side were not included. ...

OK, thanks, that was interesting :).

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Once then Kousei-Daijin Yanagizawa joked baby making machines have number limit, she loudly said "I can not make babies now. I am a no good machine: and Yanagizawa was openly embartassed. When women are redicuked, she is not quiet. /so, all male politicians are now very careful.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Problem removing the A class war criminals, most current political leaders are decendets of them or those who gave the orders. Japan's ruling class don't have family trees they have family spirals, or closed loops. It explains a lot about their decision making.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

so there are two kinds of people on this issue, those who don't believe Japan was in the wrong during WW2, and those who do. I wonder which will make Japan a stronger nation.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

oh for Pete's sake...

2 ( +2 / -0 )

" September 6, 2014. 5:30 P.M JST I have been visiting Yasukuni as one individual Japanese to offer my sincere appreciation to the spirits of war dead."

The way she put together her argument for making her repeated visits the the sshrine, I must conclude that Ms. Takaichi leaves much to be desired in terms of her sense of the principle of constitutionalism; the consttitution is there to keep the abuse of political power by the state in check. She says she has been visiting Yasukuni as one individual Japanese, which would make me feel justified in thinking that she has made th visits to the shrine not in her capacity as a popularly-elected member of th Diet, still less as a State Minister, but as a private citize. I want her to remind herself that being a member of Parliament is a far cry from being the 9 to 5 routine business. If she were a company employee putting in the " 9 to 5 " work, she would feel free to do as she pleased after 5. Making a visit to Yasukuni as one individual Japanese would be possible only after she has stepped down as a member of the Diet. Insisting that she visits as one individual while she wears the hat as a member of Parliament, she would be thrusting her distorted notion of the constitutionalism down the throats of the Japanese people. This is a typical case of topsy turvy constitutionalism prevalent among ultra-nationalistc politicians in LDP , Mr. Abe and Takachi included. They are a group of politicians who let their romantic" Japan was beautiful before and during the last war" emotionalism, reminiscent of the 30s Japan get the better of the logical side of their personality. She should be warned against putting herself above the law.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Minister Takaichi's intention to go to the shrine is wrong and unnecessary.

Quite. I think using private and personal activities, especially those related to mourning the dead, to promote a political agenda is just tacky, basically. By all means let her go in private, as is her right, but the moment these people get in front of reporters and offer them any sort of comment, it's clear what their real intentions are.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Methinks that Seoul and Beijing would not be happy with anything short of bulldozing over the entire shrine

2 ( +4 / -2 )

SK and china complain at every chance, it would not matter 1 bit if there was no war criminals in the shrine those two would still find away to complain.

They whinge and moan so much it is beginning to look like its their national sport.

Bash Japan continuously for everything, visiting yasukuni shrine is not the reason these two moan and whinge, nearly everyday there is some news on here about china doesn't like what japan did or said or SK is unhappy about japan on this or that matter. Seriously if these countries were people sat around a table there would be some face slapping going on and Abes hands would be bruised.

Let those two countries moan and whinge, what japan does on its own sovereign soil with its own people , by its own government in its own time is its own business, it is internal affairs and china and SK should butt out.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

StormR

Pretty small minded of some thinking people going to Yasukuni are only going to pay respect to war criminals, there are millions enshrined and honoured there,

I don't doubt that many relatives of the war dead have sincere motives for visiting Yasukuni, and I don't blame them. However, Takaichi and other revisionists and not going to Yasukuni to 'pray for peace' or 'offer sincere appreciation to the spirits of the war dead'. Their visit is a political statement. It's defiance against a deep rooted guilt which they can't deal with. It's a deliberate denial of history.

The reaction by China and Korea is, I think, a bit over the top, but it's natural that they feel insulted. I wish more Japanese felt incensed by this revising of history, instead of seeing it as merely an issue that bothers their Asian neighbors.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Honoring the many average Japanese soldiers at Yasukuni isn't at all controversial to Japan's former enemies. Adding the war criminals in the 1970's and the war museum on otherwise sacred ground is the problem. If that never occurred there would be no controversy today. Their inclusion at the shrine is to honor them. Stating otherwise is simply not factual.

Minister Takaichi's intention to go to the shrine is wrong and unnecessary. I understand that the proprietor's of the shrine are a private organization. Perhaps it would be best if the Japanese had a public place, like Arlington, where the average soldier is honored and that is not also a war museum. If the Emperor will not go to the Yasukuni Shrine, that should be a sign to everyone that this is not a place that can be unifying for the country. In fact, it is just the opposite.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

"New internal affairs minister says she will visit Yasukuni Shrine"

Or, "New internal affairs minister says she wlll piss off the Chinese and the Koreans.

"The souls of the war dead, meanwhile, have moved to Tokyo Disneyland to get away from all the annoying politicians."

Comment of the week.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Some greatest war criminals against their own countrymen are enshrined, kowtowed and worshipped day in and day out but nobody utter a sound

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Here we go! Anyways you can't teach stupidity to stupid there is no logic for it

1 ( +5 / -4 )

LOL

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Again, Abe just last week sent a message to a ceremony that commemorated only war criminals and called them martyrs who were the present day Japan's foundation. Baloney. Today's japan is the opposite of what those war criminals envisioned. Japan prospered for seventy years in this opposite direction and it isn't too late for it to head away from Abe and his ilk.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Abe went to the shrine in December, the first time in more than seven years that a Japanese prime minister had gone there, but instead of returning Friday, he sent a cash offering to the shrine with Koichi Hagiuda, an aide and lawmaker.

Did he go on his day off?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Bottom line: all these poor soldiers died because of stupid politicians. And these stupid politician have still the obscenity to use the soul of these victims for their own agenda!

1 ( +3 / -2 )

tinawatanabe: ... But when it comes to Yasukuni, Japan has no intention to listen to what USA says. ...

Abe seems to be staying away, mostly. His base must not like that. So he must be affected by someone. China trade, US defense, something.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

EVERY Korean soldier was an Imperial Japanese soldier.

And every Korean soldier willingly joined up?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Yeah, well, Abe obviously didn't introduce 5 women with leftist leanings who would stand against his extremist revisionist agenda and point out the stupidity of so-called abenomics into his cabinet. There's a woman on the exec. panel at NHK handpicked by Abe too, but she obviously doesn't believe there were any comfort women or war crimes.

Ms. Takaichi is very right wing (of course) and actually belongs to a group who advocate Yasukuni visits. Ms. Obuchi is the daughter of a PM, just like Abe is the grandson of Kishi. There is a place for women in government here, so long as they are right-wingers who agree with Abe' agenda and tow the party line. Of course it helps if they are dynastical politicians who promise to do their best to annoy the crap out of Japan's most important trading partners, as well as raise a finger to America's views on Yasukuni visits. This is Japan people, nothing ever really changes here. The women in the Cabinet are right-wing Abe fans or they wouldn't be in the Cabinet. QED really.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Yasukuni Shrine war criminal worship and sex slave legacy have been costing Japan so much that Japan’s political and moral statues have been totally dwarfed in the world community.

Lasting to today since WW II ended, there have been not many countries which world take Japan seriously in the geopolitical arena even Japan is world's third largest econom and Japan's military expenditures ranked 8th in the world. How could this disproportion happen ? Well, looking no further, Japan’s persistent hog-wash on its war past might be part of the answers to the question.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Poor Japanese companies like Canon that have lost their China market because of this nonsense political moves. The root of all this is a deep sense of inferiority that causes them to over compensate. I have heard that Abe had a shrink to help him get over his mental breakdown. i wish the guy could also treat his deep rooted sense of loss and defeat that he is trying to compensate by honoring criminals.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

New internal affairs minister says she will visit Yasukuni Shrine

In other words : she's pouring oil on the fire... Sasuga Abe-chan !

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Everyone should remember one thing; Under Japanese law, those enshrined at Yasakuni were not classified as war criminals under international law and plain common sense the class A war crininals enshrined at Yasakui will suddenly not disappear because a law made in Japan says so.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@kenjiooi: Excellent points. Even on TV, I have not seen it explained in such a manner, which would be a matter of course in countries where debate and strategic thinking are taught. The average Japanese and average NJ often do not get the crux of the issue, so your comments were appropriate and were not just emotional arguments for which there is no solution. I wish your opinion were available in Japanese so non-English speakers would be able to read it.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Abe went to the shrine in December, the first time in more than seven years that a Japanese prime minister had gone there, but instead of returning Friday, he sent a cash offering to the shrine with Koichi Hagiuda, an aide and lawmaker.

The offering was ostensibly made by Abe as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party rather than as prime minister.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@Simon FostonSEP. 06, 2014 - 11:05PM JST Abe went to the shrine in December, the first time in more than seven years that a Japanese prime minister had gone there, but instead of returning Friday, he sent a cash offering to the shrine with Koichi Hagiuda, an aide and lawmaker.

Did he go on his day off?

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It is the time of Japan's traditional End-Of- year weeks off. Bo-nen-Kai time. He had to get out from his office that time. Then from 1/1, Shin-nen week off.

Not because Christmas, Just traditional couple weeks off time.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

LDP did big mistakes when it denied her application to be in LDP for a few times. She became Mushozoku (independent -meaning no political party wanted her). Even she was a Mushozoku, she was active. Finally she was accepted in LDP. She is very concerned about manga and game influence on youth more than visiting Yasukuni.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Anyo highball. Here's some non-Japanese documentation.

http://www.exordio.com/1939-1945/codex/Documentos/report-49-USA-orig.html

Or do you think the US Army would lie to protect Japan in 1944? The Comfort Women were employed and were paid.

You would "rather listen to former Comfort Women"? Prof. Ahn did. He conducted a study on 40 former Comfort Women in Seoul in 1993 and concluded that their testimony was "not credible". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU5G_e_rTx8

Former Japanese soldiers testimony? You do know that a former JP solder Yoshida fabricated a story about forcing 200 women on Cheju Island to become "comfort Women" right?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

StormRSep. 06, 2014 - 11:36PM JST SK and china complain at every chance, it would not matter 1 bit if there was no war criminals in the shrine those two would still find away to complain.

Japan’s secret love for imperialism is constantly cover by fear mongering is constantly used to downplay their denial. Japan continues to justify being a victim to their atrocities and war crimes committed against South Korea and China, lead them to foolishly believe that they have the moral superiority. It doesn’t matter if China or Korea has domestic issues or not, Japan still has the blood of millions of innocent Asian lives of on their hands. This is why Germany will always be respected by other Asian countries as they had fairly atoned for the crimes against Europe, unlike Japan to Asia.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It doesn't matter if SK and Chine whine continually, which they do. At this point Japan needs to rally support of allies in the area - including SK. Visits to Yasukuni, although well intentioned (I hope) are counterproductive. I guess politicians are short sighted the world over. Give China and SK another reason to complain, eh? Maybe Abe's people should just stay home for two years. It would honor the dead more if there were fewer joining them from confrontation with China. A unified SE Asia will accomplish that.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Koreans were in the Japanese military invading China.

So what?

Frenchmen were in the Waffen SS invading Russia. Does that mean the French can't criticise the Nazis?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Simon FostonSep. 11, 2014 - 03:58PM JST "Koreans were in the Japanese military invading China. So what? Frenchmen were in the Waffen SS invading Russia. Does that mean the French can't criticise the Nazis?

You really think that's at all comparable? EVERY Korean soldier was an Imperial Japanese soldier. And that includes the father of Japan-hating President Park Geun-Hye.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It seems like the arguing between Japan and China will never end!! In Japan they are visiting the Yasukuni shrine to make the chinese angry especially Xi Jinping!! But China have a big role indeed as well, they have taken the next step with starting a propoganda against The Empire Of Japan!!! the argues have to end at some point, and it will propably end in a war were China have support from Russia and N Koream and Japan on their side have The U.S and propably NATO as well!! NB! Can end in a World War if the fighting in the Ukraine continues, and that China will propably take over the disputed islands in the East China seas, China will only grow stronger and stronger and more agressive after time. If there will not be a revolution in China in the coming years, the negative and agressive behaviour from China with support from Russia and opposite can result in a WW!!!!

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Well, I am surprised! Did not expect that in the slightest. Can't say I'm particularly for or against it, either. Japan has a right to worship its war dead, and it is a religious matter. That said, it is a bit poorly timed.

In any case, for any real progress on this matter, there needs to be dialogue and South Korea, and the PRC need to change their anti-Japanese stance (amounting, for the PRC, to find another enemy to direct its domestic campaign at).

Japan should take steps, too, but they are minor when compared SK's and the PRC's vehemently anti-Japanese position.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

The actual allied nations do not consider visits to the shrine to be "praying for War Criminals"

This is plain flat wrong, US directly warmed several times Abe not to go to Yasukuni last year and they openly expressed their disappointment at it. Several European government including Germany have also expressed concerns on Japan revision tendency for history with Japan politicians visiting a shrine that wouldn't be problematic if Japan wouldn't have enriched war criminals there.

Japan could stop to be so hypocrite, remove those war criminals and problem fixed.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

daito Japan could stop to be so hypocrite, remove those war criminals and problem fixed.

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How?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Good point Jersey boy!

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Rear Admiral Daniel Smith, US Navy visited Yasukuni on April 9, 1969. Lieutenant General Wallace Gregson, United States Marine Corp, commanding General 3d Marine Division visited Yasukuni on April 26, 2001. Facts are facts.

Osaan -- please! Thirteen years ago, under a different administration, is a lifetime in diplomatic/realtions terms. And 45 years ago is not even worth discussing -- but of course you do anyway. But let's deal with current perception of Yasakuni visits by Ambasador Kennedy:

In fact, less than two months after arriving in Japan, Kennedy stunned her new friends by declaring a diplomatically unprecedented “disappointment” at Abe’s December 26 visit to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine.

Like you say, Ossan, facts are facts.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Can you imagine how upset China would be and what their response would be if say, Japan or the US demanded that they stop using the image of Mao, the worst mass murderer of the 20th century, in their politics? Where does any state get off telling another state how to worship their religion, especially if that religion is not waging active war against innocent people. The gall of China and Korea in expecting Japanese to not go to one of their native religions most high temples is beyond belief.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Heard earlier this week,

I'm so happy there are more women being included in high level positions.

How very fickle.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

sfjp330Sep. 09, 2014 - 05:51AM JST Japan’s secret love for imperialism is constantly cover by fear mongering is constantly used to downplay their denial. >Japan continues to justify being a victim to their atrocities and war crimes committed against South Korea and China,

China was invaded by Japan. Koreans were in the Japanese military invading China. Can we stop rewriting history?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Freedom of Religion.

She doesn't even need to comment. Like it or not Japan is a free country.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

I’ve been visiting Yasukuni as one Japanese individual to offer my sincere appreciation to the spirits of war dead

How a politician, member of a government in charge of a country which faces real pressing issues can have such ridiculous statement in public? Which appreciation to which "spirits" is she talking about? That makes no sense inside the mouth of a politician (or anyone else) who is supposed to spend time dealing with the real world, not with "spirits".

I mean beyond the Yasukuni thing (Japanese have anyway a serious problem in accepting honestly their guilt), the real issue is how it shows that Japan is really governed by a bunch of weird people. They can be men, women, old, young, whatever, they are basically all coming from the same rotted core.

Japan doesn't need insane leaders that live with "spirits", it needs educated, modern and reality attached people who have ideas and visions. Not those lunatics. And in fact my taxes are not supposed to be used to pay the luxury living of clowns like that. She is not paid with tax payers money to believe in "spirites". She is paid and therefore asked to WORK.

And even for the sake of respect to the part of the population who is not living in her dementia, she should prevent herself to throw such insanity to the public face. I don't care if she believes in this sort of sectarian ideas because of a poor education, but at least she could have the politeness to keep her mouth shut.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

publicizing it knowing full well it is gonna P-off your Asian neighbors is just pathetic!

Disillusioned, haven't you thought that it is the media that came to ask her? If she was asked, of course she would tell her intention.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

Again, Abe just last week sent a message to a ceremony that commemorated only war criminals and called them martyrs who were the present day Japan's foundation.

Oh. So there is a place that specifically houses the 'war criminals' in central Japan called Koyasan temple.

Then it's settled. Yasukuni is no longer a problem.

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

It makes clear that the US was against a visit because it would "increase tensions" ie; China and SK would complain,

Ossan -- please stop the semantic silliness. We ALL know, the resaon visits to Yasakuni "increase tensions' between the three countries is 100% because of the presence of the War Criminals. The fact that the U.S. statement did not specifically mention that is due to diplomatic considerations. Connecting the dots is not necessary. But, so what? Even if it did not specifically state it was because of the presence of the War Criminals, how does that make the U.S. comment any less relevant? Japan's biggest allie is basically saying that it is time for Japan to recognize the complexity of relations in the region, and the delicate balancing act the U.S. has to have there. And them continuing to do and say things to please the domestic audience, that damage Japan's standing there, is not helpful. I mean, seriously, ask yourself, how do you think folks in the U.S. State Department feel about the fact that the leaders of Japan and China have not met face-to-face for about two years, and that on the one hand Abe says he wants to meet with the Chinese leader, but thenturns around and appoints a new Cabinet Minister who on her first day of the job, boldly states her intention to visit Yasakuni?

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

AlexNoaburgSep. 06, 2014 - 01:33PM JST

''so there are two kinds of people on this issue, those who don't believe Japan was in the wrong during WW2, and those who do. I wonder which will make Japan a stronger nation.''

Visiting your ancestor's tombs and worship them and plead that they help see to it that this family would never plunge into miserable troubles such as theirs is common family tradition among Japan, Korea, China and many other Asian countries. There are no rules or regulations banning people from doing that based on certain conditions or situations. Same with a nation, it's strictly internal affair common among Japan, Korea, China, and many other Asian countries.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Good for her. Pray on.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

daito_hakSep. 06, 2014 - 12:48PM JST "The actual allied nations do not consider visits to the shrine to be "praying for War Criminals" This is plain flat wrong, US directly warmed several times Abe not to go to Yasukuni last year and they openly >expressed their disappointment at it.

No it is you who is flat out wrong, Have you ever read the actual US statement? It makes clear that the US was against a visit because it would "increase tensions" ie; China and SK would complain, And it recognizes that Abe went to pray for peace, See for yourself,

http://japan.usembassy.gov/index.html

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

jerseyboySep. 06, 2014 - 10:46PM JST "It makes clear that the US was against a visit because it would "increase tensions" ie; China and SK would complain,"

Ossan -- please stop the semantic silliness. We ALL know, the resaon visits to Yasakuni

Rear Admiral Daniel Smith, US Navy visited Yasukuni on April 9, 1969. Lieutenant General Wallace Gregson, United States Marine Corp, commanding General 3d Marine Division visited Yasukuni on April 26, 2001. Facts are facts.

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

let's deal with current perception of Yasakuni visits by Ambasador Kennedy

jerseyboy, Japan sees USA the most important ally, and has been listening to whatever USA says even at the cost of Japan's interest. But when it comes to Yasukuni, Japan has no intention to listen to what USA says. So, your argument is irrelevant.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Everyone should remember one thing; Under Japanese law, those enshrined at Yasakuni were not classified as war criminals

-6 ( +9 / -15 )

Their visit is a political statement

So is the two nations respective governments who are using this as a political card despite not having any issues of it for decades.

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

I have visited Yasukuni too, not pay homage to any war criminals but see for my self and also pay respects to those poor souls there who were made to sacrifice their lives for the emperor , aren't you all so lucky you were not born in japan near the beginning of last century. You too may have been entombed there even though you may have committed no war crimes.

Would you not think it would be such a same if no one were able to come and pay respects for what you were basically forced to do ?

Most Japanese back then had no choice back in those days, and the whole country was brain washed.

I have no problem with anyone going to pay respects to war dead any place, some of my ancestors had to deal with the Japanese in the pacific theatre during world war two while others were off in Europe. I honour all who fought.

War is bad, not letting the past go is wrong, get over it and move forward, or you will be forced to live it forever and your offspring also forced to live it, that is all pointless.

Teach your young about it so it doesn't happen again, by all means, but do not stay mired in it for ever, and instil hatred in your young.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

jerseyboySep. 07, 2014 - 01:44AM JST But let's deal with current perception of Yasakuni visits by Ambasador Kennedy:

Yes, let's, "December 26, 2013 Japan is a valued ally and friend. Nevertheless, the United States is disappointed that Japan's leadership has taken an action that will exacerbate tensions with Japan's neighbors. The United States hopes that both Japan and its neighbors will find constructive ways to deal with sensitive issues from the past, to improve their relations, and to promote cooperation in advancing our shared goals of regional peace and stability. We take note of the Prime Minister’s expression of remorse for the past and his reaffirmation of Japan's commitment to peace."

http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/p/tp-20131226-01.html

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

I think Abe is trying a new strategy, the one they should have taken in the first place.

The thing is, Yasukuni is a Japanese internal affair and Japan should not have gave the opportunists (no doubt some of the protesters are sincere but I'm too cynical to not think at the back is a bunch of people pressing for strategic advantage in the soft power game) in China and Korea an opening by letting their opinions matter in the first place. Having conceded once they let the Chinese and Koreans use it as a weapon, even bringing the United States, who is schizophrenic-ally split between being Japan's ally but yet needing to maintain the image of the "Good War" despite a slew of strategic bombings (thus requiring their enemies to be BAD).

The correct measure is to let the Chinese and Koreans shout themselves to extinction while bawling about their interference in internal affairs. But for the past 30 years Japan's governments are too interested in short term gain.

Now that China and Korea's relations with Japan are approaching their minimums, Abe can afford to not care, at least for long enough to hope C&K would shout their lungs dry. When that happens, they would stop complaining about it and relations can be based on more substantive things.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

High-five madam! You have every right to do so. Visiting Yasukuni Shrine is Japan's internal business. The media alone takes care that it will become a huge international issue. When will China and Korea understand this?!

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

turbotsat, that's simply Abe's decision. He and Japan are trying to have summit with China. They're probably thinking APEC is a good chance. And it seems that there were some talks about summit when Fukuda went China.

highball7 What is right and truth can not be decided by majority vote. There is documented evidence that they were paid and recruited by Korean agent even in US archives. You should know basic rule in civilized society that when accuse someone it is the accuser that have to present evidence. You cannot provide any evidence that's why using childish majority vote. Bring it to Int'l court if you can.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Taiwan does not use anti-Japan sentiment an official diplomatic and political tool as China and SK do. Former President of the Republic of China Lee Teng-hui visited Yasukuni on October 27, 2007. His own brother is enshrined there. Thumbs down and name calling can not change facts.

-8 ( +5 / -13 )

The new Internal Affairs minister in response to the criticism from the usual two. (SK and China)

It's an "internal affair".

-10 ( +9 / -19 )

Only China (PRC) and South Korea make anti-Japan sentiment, including complaining about Japanese politicians visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, an official diplomatic and political tool. Neither the PRC or ROK were even in existence when WWII ended in 1945 and certainly were not members of the victorious Allied powers who conducted the International Tribunal for the Far East which charged tried and convicted the Class-A War Criminals. The actual allied nations do not consider visits to the shrine to be "praying for War Criminals" or an indicator of a "return to militarism" as China and South Korea do. Sorry but these are facts. No amount of name calling is going to change that.

-10 ( +7 / -17 )

Pretty small minded of some thinking people going to Yasukuni are only going to pay respect to war criminals, there are millions enshrined and honoured there, many who were victims of the emperors and war time leaders twisted ways who were brain washed into going to war against Japan's neighbours, perhaps it is these millions that people go to honour, not the dozen or so war crims.

I wish people exercised a little more intelligence and showed a little more open mindedness but I guess its just easier to jump on the hate band wagon and not look at things in an enlightened way.

How about the soldiers buried at Arlington in the US are the americans not allowed to visit them and pay respects, as some were involved with rape and bayonetting babies in vietnam, or dirty deeds in Iraq or incidents during ww2. not all of them mind you only a small handful. Or drone strikes on innocents in Pakistan and Afghanistan,.

The anti japan hate that floods out of china and SK needs to be seen for what it is, just another excuse by these nations who want to continue there hatred as they have nothing better to contribute to the world.

-11 ( +11 / -22 )

Wrong and wrong. As has been pointed out, even Taiwain has expressed anger at visits and tried to have names removed from the shrine but were refused. So, before you go talking about facts, how about doing just that and not buying so easily into the white-washed fiction?

I believe Ossan stated 'an official diplomatic and political tool'. He's correct.

This woman is a tool, in all respects of the word. Nigelboy and others can try and deflect by saying others use Yasukuni as a tool for political purposes and somehow claim Japan is the only nation not in the wrong for doing so, but they are wrong; Japan is being just as childish, and even moreso since the onus is on them to visit or not (and by not improve relations).

Deflection? No. I see nothing wrong with a lawmaker/cabinet member honoring the war dead within their own nation. It's an internal affair. A childish ones are those who suddenly out of the blue complain about it and subsequently raises the bar.

-12 ( +3 / -15 )

Japan is Japan. We have our own way. Medias are too much sensational on this subject and our neighbours uses this subject politically for their advantages. Is there any Japanese politician who visit the shrine advocating rearmament of Japan? No! Today's Japan is the most peace loving nation in the world.

-13 ( +18 / -30 )

Personally, I can't really buy any of this, but it's kind of nice to quiet troubled souls, I suppose. I do think the souls ought to at least get an occasional trip out of the shrine area ... maybe a tour bus? And really, if some soul doesn't like the accommodations at Yasukuni, surely there ought to be a way to move? I think a mountain top would be nicer... and maybe being close to friends and family would be good?

That's the point. Nobody is asking you to believe in the faith so why on god's earth are people upset about it? The way China and SK complain leads me to believe that they have some faith in this religion.

The method in which a nation mourns her war dead has always been an internal affair. It was stupid to even cater towards China and SK in the first place since they keep raising the bar which are

No PM should visit Yasukuni on an official basis---->no PM should visit----->no cabinet member should visit---->no lawmaker should visit.

And for the record, SK had their military attaches visit Yasukuni as late as 2002. They were basically 17 years behind riding on China's coattails.

-14 ( +7 / -21 )

"The shrine honors Japan’s war dead, including 14 leaders convicted as war criminals by an Allied tribunal."

Funny how the only two countries that whine about shrine visits are not on the list of Allies. Nationalist China (Taiwan) does not bother with this nonsense. What's worse there are some 1000 or Korean class B&C War Criminals convicted by the Allied Tribunal enshrined there as well.

-16 ( +18 / -34 )

shallotsSep. 06, 2014 - 07:40AM JST There is no evidence that "spirits" exist and there is evidence that it is very unlikely that a person's personality or self >can survive death. That these politicians express a belief in magic people is troubling. They should be more rational >and act more rationally.

It's actually China and South Korea that is expressing a belief in magic people. Otherwise shrine visits would not bother them.

-17 ( +12 / -29 )

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