A group of Japanese people held a study session in Tokyo on Tuesday to voice their opposition to visits by politicians to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine, calling on the Japanese government and society to face up to the history of aggression.
The Yasukuni Shrine is a spiritual tool and symbol of Japanese militarists' war of aggression. It honors 14 convicted Class-A war criminals with grave responsibilities for the war crimes committed during World War II.
However, some Japanese politicians keep visiting the Yasukuni Shrine on August 15 every year.
Atsushi Koketsu, an honorary professor at Yamaguchi University, said at the study session that the visits, which are paid by politicians for political gain, not only reflect their wrong understanding of the history of the war of aggression, but also fuel militarism and exacerbate antagonism with other countries.
"The Yasukuni Shrine is precisely a place that has continued to breed militaristic ideology. Such acts of worship completely disregard the existence of the people, as well as their lives, property, and safety -- they are a highly self-righteous form of homage. Moreover, if such a behavior further inflames confrontations with China and other countries, it will only bring negative consequences. I strongly demand that this practice be stopped," Koketsu said.
The participants in the study session expressed their firm opposition to Japanese politicians' visits to the Yasukuni Shrine and called on the society to learn about the history of the World War II and face up to the crimes of aggression.
"If people don't understand the true nature of the war, what really happened, and what Japan did, they won't understand how absurd it is to enshrine these people at the Yasukuni Shrine," said a participant.
"Japan has not even offered a genuine apology for its war of aggression or for the countries it once invaded, including China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Yet, some politicians including prime minister engaged in the absurd act of visiting the Yasukuni war shrine. To be blunt, we believe the Yasukuni Shrine should be completely destroyed. Ultimately, as long as it exists, Japan will launch another war. And we are clearly expressing our opposition to this," said another participant.
Japanese people hold study session to oppose politicians’ visits to notorious Yasukuni Shrine
