- 14 Mar 2002
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I have always thought the emperor was beyond reproach, but it seems the Japanese right is showing their true colours: the head priest of the controversial Yasukuni shrine stepped down after his criticism of Emperor Akihito was leaked. Newspapers seem to have reported this issue, I haven't seen anything related on TV.
Yasukuni chief priest resigns over criticism of Emperor Akihito
Yasukuni chief priest resigns over criticism of Emperor Akihito:The Asahi Shimbun
Yasukuni Shrine's chief priest forced to quit after criticizing Emperor for not visiting war-linked shrine
Yasukuni Shrine's chief priest forced to quit after criticizing Emperor for not visiting war-linked shrine | The Japan Times
More on Yasukuni:
Controversies surrounding Yasukuni Shrine - Wikipedia
Yasukuni and the Enshrinement of War Criminals | Nippon.com
Yasukuni chief priest resigns over criticism of Emperor Akihito
Kohori came under fire after the Shukan Post weekly magazine reported on his comments made at a meeting in June with Shinto priests and shrine workers. He lashed out at Akihito and other members of the imperial family because they have stayed away from Yasukuni Shrine.
"Don't you agree that the more the emperor is dedicated to travelling (to former battle sites) to console the spirits of the war dead, the more he will move away from Yasukuni Shrine?" Kohori said, according to the magazine. "To put it bluntly, the emperor is trying to crush Yasukuni Shrine."
Kohori also raised concerns about what will happen after Akihito abdicates in April next year and Crown Prince Naruhito takes over the throne, according to the magazine.
"Do you think the crown prince will pay a visit to the shrine after he becomes the new emperor? She, who will become the new empress (Crown Princess Masako), abhors Shinto and shrines," the magazine quoted Kohori as saying.
Yasukuni chief priest resigns over criticism of Emperor Akihito:The Asahi Shimbun
Yasukuni Shrine's chief priest forced to quit after criticizing Emperor for not visiting war-linked shrine
Yasukuni Shrine's chief priest forced to quit after criticizing Emperor for not visiting war-linked shrine | The Japan Times
More on Yasukuni:
Controversies surrounding Yasukuni Shrine - Wikipedia
Yasukuni and the Enshrinement of War Criminals | Nippon.com