Tokyo theaters under fire for deciding not to show 'Yasukuni' documentary

Tuesday 01st April, 01:10 PM JST

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kinniku at 04:14 PM JST - 2nd April

So although the souls of those who fought for the Emperor are also enshrined there, the Shrine was built to respect **all **of Japan’s war dead.

I have never said they weren't. In fact I said as much yesterday at 6:02pm.

the spirits of those who fought in wars on behalf of the emperor are enshrined there.

As far as my posting information of little use. First, at least it is the truth (you could learn something there). Second, it is one example of people for whom having their relatives enshrined in Yasukuni is an important issue.

BTW, good for you actually looking at some information about Yasukuni before posting this time. Unfortunately, you just managed to repeat pretty much what others (including myself) have already written. Probably be better for you to do some research before writing next time, huh?
sarcasm123 at 04:25 PM JST - 2nd April

"Come on, you know better than that. "Emperor" and "Country" are the same thing in this context. See the shrine and the museum!"

For "this conext" read "my whishful thinking" I presume? How some need to read between the lines just to get their own prejudices confirmed. Pathetic.
kinniku at 04:28 PM JST - 2nd April

sarcasm123,

Please...are you telling me you didn't see the displays at Yasukuni commemorating the Japanese citizens who fought on behalf of the emperor? Are you sure you went to Yasukuni Shrine? It said emperor. How could you not see it?
sabiwabi at 04:35 PM JST - 2nd April

BTW, good for you actually looking at some information about Yasukuni before posting this time. Thanks, I'm glad you like it. It happens to be very similar to my first post about the shrine (yesterday at 4:22pm). It seems you missed it, huh?
kinniku at 04:37 PM JST - 2nd April

This is getting silly. I seem to be arguing with people who haven't been to Yasukuni or went to Yasukuni and didn't manage to read things like the word 'emperor'. The emperor was considered to be a deity. The Japanese people at the time believed they were fighting for this deity. Yasukuni shrine commemorates these people that fought for the deity and enshrined their spirits. There are people for whom this is a serious issue. As serious as if they were actually buried in the shrine. And that is that.

Moderator: All readers back on topic please. Your posts need to refer to the documentary and the Tokyo theaters' decision to not screen it.
kinniku at 04:52 PM JST - 2nd April

I haven't seen this movie, so I can't comment on it specifically. However, the rush to say the movie is false or fake without having seen it is rather frightening.
kinniku at 05:10 PM JST - 2nd April

As for what is wrong with the shrine. I (and others) wrote in some detail specifically about the videos in the museum. I honestly don't know if you had a chance to view them when you visited there. If you didn't I recommend you do. I think it would make for a good comparison between the Yasukuni documentary mentioned in this article.

Moderator: Readers, please stay on topic, which is the documentary and the decision by Tokyo theaters not to show it.
sabiwabi at 06:22 PM JST - 2nd April

Does anyone know how many, if any, theaters are showing the movie in Japan? Are the theaters that have refused to show the movie a very small fraction that the media simply jumped on and made a big fuss over?
kinniku at 07:02 PM JST - 2nd April

A total of 5 theaters planned to show this documentary. One cancelled in March and the other four have cancelled this month. Keep in mind, regardless of our spirited (no pun intended) discussion, this is not a big budget deal, it is a documentary that if left alone would probably have not gotten much press (much like Yasukuni Shrine itself).
sabiwabi at 12:22 PM JST - 3rd April

I know 5 theaters that had planned to show the movie canceled, but I thought someone had posted early on (can't seem to find it now) that the movie will be shown in other cities. So I was wondering if that was true and how many theaters will end up showing it.
kinniku at 12:50 PM JST - 3rd April

Sorry, I misunderstood your question. It was initially supposed to be shown in 18 theaters in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Hiroshima and Kyoto. In today's news it was announced that a theater in Osaka has decided to show the movie in May as scheduled. The remaining 12 theaters are considering showing the movie at later dates.

Here is today's article for those interested in reading further.

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20080403-00000014-yom-soci
kinniku at 12:52 PM JST - 3rd April

Actually, 'initially' is my impression. I am assuming (perhaps incorrectly)that if the movie proved popular, other theaters would show it.
mongolboy at 03:15 PM JST - 3rd April

Given the the documentary took out a prize at the Hong kong film festival recently I think that it's a shame that more people are not going to be abel to see it.
usaexpat at 11:33 PM JST - 4th April

If the LDP really finds this sort of thing regrettable then they need to put the black van guys out of business. Tokai san put your money where your mouth is or more to the point put the cops where the right wingers are.
Blue_Tiger at 11:03 AM JST - 8th April

I often wonder why media outlets and movie companies often -- when making World War II films of any kind dealing with the Pacific Theatre -- often cut and take out parts of movies that show how wrong the Japanese were (yet, at the same time, the Germans get all the publicity, get all the scorn, and get all the negative views and coverage anytime a European Theatre Movie is made)??? I remember watching Pearl Harbor here in Japan, and much of Japan's responsibility for starting the War with the USA was cut out, the reasons for the Surprise Attack on December 7th, '41 being rather ambiguopus, while in the US Version of the film, Japan got all the responsibility, and it was clearly shown. Why od we hafta' tip-toe around the Japanese when portraying the Pacific Theatre of World war Two? Could it be because the Japanese and her Government have yet to fully come to terms with her War Guilt???????