News Yasukuni head priest resigns over criticism of emperor

thomas · 12 Oct 2018

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

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

Hiroyuki Nagashima · 13 Oct 2018

I support the remarks of this Yasukuni Shrine's chief priest.

joadbres · 13 Oct 2018

Hiroyuki Nagashima said:
I support the remarks of this Yasukuni Shrine's chief priest.

All of it, or certain parts?

Do you understand why Yasukuni Shrine is controversial?

thomas · 18 Oct 2018

The stubbornness of old men. How utterly depressing.

Photo credit: Kyodo

Around 70 Japanese lawmakers visit Yasukuni Shrine - Japan Today

Buntaro · 19 Oct 2018

Has everyone heard of Nippon Kaigi? Note the use of the word "ultranationalist" in this wikipedia article:

Nippon Kaigi - Wikipedia

"Nippon Kaigi...denies that Japan forced the "comfort women" into sexual slavery during World War II. Nippon Kaigi fights against feminism, LGBT rights, and the 1999 Gender Equality Law."

Shinzou Abe is a member.

Is nationalism rising in Japan, or is this just a fringe group?

mdchachi · 19 Oct 2018

Buntaro said:
Shinzou Abe is a member.

If that were true he wouldn't have any problem visiting Yasukuni Shrine.

joadbres · 19 Oct 2018

mdchachi said:
If that were true he wouldn't have any problem visiting Yasukuni Shrine.

Not necessarily true. He is a politician, and politicians have competing interests that they weigh when deciding what to do.

Kami Nana · 13 Nov 2018

mdchachi said:
If that were true he wouldn't have any problem visiting Yasukuni Shrine.

Hasn't he visited the shrine before, though?

thomas · 13 Nov 2018

Former PM Koizumi visited annually during his tenure (2001-2006), PM Abe once officially, in 2013. He's visited several times in private capacity.

KyushuWoozy · 18 Nov 2018

I remember one PM years ago said after a visit that he was visiting in neither an official nor a private capacity

News Yasukuni head priest resigns over criticism of emperor

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