forester_joe comments

@Black Sabbath & Strangerland, good question that got me curious. The parliament is elected by popular vote, and the prime minister is elected by the parliament. In the previous election that put Abe in power, voter turnout was estimated at 35%, hardly a majority, with economy being the top priority. I will need to learn some more, but historical issues are probably not even on the radar for most Japanese. Such fringe issues tend to get overlooked in elections, and the vocal minority will be heard over the silent majority.

Sigh * I suspect much of Japan's right wing perspective is not shared by the majority of Japanese, but unfortunately the current government belongs to the right wing. It is the same group that feels justified in attacking us at Pearl Harbor, along with the rest of the WWII. Perhaps we all need to pay more attention to the Japanese majority opinion, if only they will speak up.

Sure everyone is a hypocrite to some degree, but again, each country must recognize and account for its actions, rather than pointing fingers at others. From what I see, the main issue with Japan is in the denial of its past actions. One may say it is only the extreme right wing, but they also happen to represent the nation of Japan at the moment. No one can keep the representatives of the Japanese government from paying homage to the shrine, but others have just as much rignt/freedom to criticize Japan for it. The choice is Japan's to make.

No one is perfect, but each nation must still try to recognize, remember and be accountable for its actions, rather than using others' wrongdoings to justify one's own. See where Japan or anyone else stand on any given issue.