News Hundred Japanese lawmakers visit Yasukuni Shrine

[thomas]

Stupid old men doing stupid old things: today, some one-hundred lawmakers visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, on 7 December of all days, the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbour.* I wonder if the mumpsimuses** of the Hosoda/Abe faction will succeed in pressuring PM Kishida to visit Yasukuni, too.

Victims of Japanese aggression during the first half of the 20th century, especially Chinese and Koreans, see Yasukuni Shrine as a symbol of Japan's militarism because it honours its war dead, including convicted war criminals. Visits and donations to the shrine by Japanese political leaders are seen by critics as a sign of a lack of remorse over the country's wartime actions. South Korea's Foreign Ministry expressed "deep concern and regret" on Tuesday over the "large-scale" visit to a shrine that "beautifies Japan's colonial pillage and war of aggression." It said in a statement that Japan instead should show "humble reflection and sincere remorse" about its wartime past to win back the trust of the international community. Hidehisa Otsuji, a senior member of Kishida's party, said the group prayed to the spirits of the war dead to protect Japan from the coronavirus pandemic.

About 100 lawmakers visit Yasukuni Shrine

A group of about 100 Japanese lawmakers prayed at Yasukuni Shrine viewed by China and the Koreas as a symbol of Japanese wartime aggression on Tuesday, 80 years after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. Many of the lawmakers, including nine vice ministers and special aides in the cabinet of Prime…

japantoday.com

Japan lawmakers make first group visit to Yasukuni Shrine in two years

A cross-party group of about 100 politicians descended on the shrine, which is regarded by its Asian neighbors as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.

www.japantimes.co.jp

* Japan commemorates Pearl Harbour on 8 December.
** My new favourite word to refer to the blockheads of the LDP gerontocracy.

 

[mdchachi]

mumpsimuses

Well that's a new word for me. It fits.