Alohano comments

Oh my....what's the typical charge and sentence for this crime in Japan? Unbelieveable...even moreso knowing it keeps happening.

Hope Nihonjins have the stones to back those cabinet ministers heading to Yasukuni. Call it patriotism, nationalism, racism, bigotry....such takes many names based on perception. I'm inclined to call it patriotism and it is what it is.

Just curious....what was/is the reasoning for the "draconian" deal with the 6 months for women vs men? If such exists in the US, as a poster may have stated, why in either case?

Besides the point that it ain't gonna be changed, I'm curious as to the reason for the six months to begin with.

AJ: I don't know if there can be an "explanation". Japan is one of the most homogenous ethnic groups in the world and I believe culturally it has been a priority for centuries. Oddly enough the Norway terrorist admired Japan and Korea for their homogenous societies.

I am not a Japanese national. But I know I will be a gaijin forever. The social nuances of Japanese society will never change as it's not viewed as broke in need of fixing. I'm not "in" and I actually don't have a problem with it. It seems as though the posters here that take issue with it are only those on the outside looking in. Those on the inside so to speak don't owe anyone an explanation, a motivation to change, etc. seems to me.

JAG...or Japan and Japanese can remain one of the most homogenous ethnic groups in the modern world, with any foreign thoughts, objectives, etc being of no consequence whatsoever. When visiting Japan, I rather like it.

The whole melting pot thing has it's drawbacks. That said, the history you refer to will remain for our lifetimes and all the silliness of tv shows, popular celebrities, etc. can now go back into obscurity.

The world's full of these issues. It's fine....Pakistan/India, England/Ireland, basically all of the former USSR, not to mention Israel and their neighbors.

Hope it leads to more, on both sides. The hard feelings are too deeply rooted and will never go away in our lifetimes. Dramas, concerts, TV shows...bye bye.

Perhaps the Korean communities in Japan feel a little more heat from these tensions.

Seriously all.....what kind of sentence are the parents going to get? According to Japanese law, what they will be charged with and convicted of?

I just glanced at my kids with such sadness for the little one that is no longer with us due to a pachinko game.

I absolutely can not believe this happened. This ceremony occurred above the tomb of thousands of American servicemen. If you believe I am out to lunch, I suggest taking a poll of the victim's families. Their opinion does not matter vs this publicity stunt by the wife of a former Governor? An absolutely incredible lack of sensitivity. The Visitors Center would be much more appropriate. There were survivors present but what about those who have not forgiven?