Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s recent visit to Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine – alongside key ministers – has reignited fiery debates about Japan’s wartime history and its constitutional separation of religion and politics. The shrine, which honors 14 Class A WWII war criminals among others, remains a lightning rod for controversy in Asia and beyond.
Why Yasukuni Stirs Controversy 🌩️
Yasukuni’s 1978 secret enshrinement of convicted war criminals transformed it from a memorial into a symbol of Japan’s militarist past. Critics argue such visits whitewash atrocities committed during Japan’s 20th-century expansion. The shrine’s ties to State Shintoism, officially dismantled after WWII, further complicate its political resonance today.
Constitutional Clash? 📜
Ishiba’s pilgrimage raises legal eyebrows. Japan’s Constitution (Article 20) strictly separates religion and state – a response to pre-war militarism. Experts question whether state officials’ shrine visits violate this principle. Article 89 also bars public funds for religious institutions, adding another layer of scrutiny.
History Repeating? 🔄
This isn’t new: In 1969, the ruling LDP tried to bring Yasukuni under state control but retreated after massive protests. Religious groups and pacifists warned it could revive militarism. Now, as geopolitical tensions rise, Ishiba’s move has activists asking: Is Japan reckoning with history – or rewriting it?
