Japan Times
READERS IN COUNCIL
May 23, 2001
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi says that he will make an official visit to Yasukuni Shrine on August 15 to pay his respects to those who fought for their country and to make it clear that Japan must never again wage war.
Time and time again, visits by high-ranking Japanese officials to Yasukuni, which not only houses the ashes of common soldiers but also enshrines wartime leaders who were held responsible for waging wars of aggression and executed as A-class war criminals, have understandably sparked protests from those countries that were victims of Japanese imperialism. Koizumi must be well aware of the feelings of those countries that were victimized by the Japanese military.
He should also be aware of the possibility that he is violating the article in the Constitution guaranteeing the separation of church and state by visiting and praying at a Shinto shrine in an official capacity. If he does not feel that this is an issue, however, and that his official visit to Yasukuni does not imply that the Japanese government supports any particular religion, perhaps, then, he should offer his respects and prayers for peace at a Buddhist temple, Christian church, Jewish synagogue, and Muslim mosque as well.
There is nothing wrong in paying respects to those who served their country. Instead of paying respects at a religious shrine that is at the center of international controversy, however, perhaps Koizumi should consider building a national cemetery similar to Arlington National Cemetery in the United States, where people of all faiths can pay their respects to those who served their country and pray for peace.
KO UNOKI Fujisawa, Kanagawa
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