Latest 15 of 63 Total Comments Show All

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  nandakandamanda at 08:31 PM JST - 6th August

  If the Emperor refuses to visit, then it is only right and natural that the Prime Minister should also refrain.

  In fact, the names should be moved so that the Emperor of Japan can feel comfortable and happy to visit, to do his duty and to pay his respects to the souls of the war dead. He too is deeply affected by this 'Meiwaku', but I am sure that he is too generous to mention it.

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  Fovonfire at 10:29 PM JST - 6th August

  For the Sino-Japan relationship,i wish the minister not to visit Yasukuni Shrine.

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  taikan at 01:54 AM JST - 7th August

  If the purpose of the shrine is to memorialize those who died in war either to protect the Emperor or to advance the Emperor's interests, then one can argue that logically the spirits of the Class A war criminals should not be included at Yasukuni because none of them actually died in a war. Instead, they were executed after the war was over.

  Of course, the opposite argument would be that their spirits should be included because they died as a result of their actions in service of the Emperor.

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  nandakandamanda at 10:42 AM JST - 7th August

  "Of course, the opposite argument would be that their spirits should be included because they died as a result of their actions in service of the Emperor."

  Yes, and to some extent no, is how I feel. The actions for which they were executed were proabably not done in the service of the Emperor, but were personal, vindictive, inhumane or sadistic actions which the Emperor himself would probably have been horrified to be associated with.

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  cleo at 10:54 AM JST - 7th August

  taikan, nandakanda -

  The Yasukuni website clearly states it enshrines the spirits of those who gave their precious lives for the sake of their country, not in service of the Emperor.

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  TonyUS at 11:15 AM JST - 7th August

  I always thought there were bodies there, and that being why such a debate over the visits from Japan's politicians. I(f that is not the case then this only makes me feel it is even more ridiculous for China, S. Korea and who ever wished to make it an issue that much more stupid!!!!Also reinforces my stance to tell those that make it a issue of nationalism among ones population mainly China that they should be the ones looked down upon for saying leaders of ones nation should not honor those who gave their lives for their country. Those who fought wars, no matter what the ideals were behind it gave their lives for what at the time they believed were right and even some not thinking it was right but was forced to fight. If a person says they are not going there to honor the war criminals, who is to say they are. This is just stupid. But again we can thank China and its leaders as reasoning behind China's riff they always bring to light. The self empowered leaders and to build nationalism within China's society to empower these leaders self empowered rule.. Plain and simple. There will be a day the leaders of China will fall and the people of China will see how ignorant they have been to fall for such self absorbed people that had controlled them all these years. Just look at the difference between China and Taiwan on this issue and all other issues.. This has gone on just a little too long. I for one am just waiting for China to develop, beyond the society hindering communist leadership and tactics.

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  nigelboy at 11:56 AM JST - 7th August

  Every time the issue of Yasukuni comes up, there are those who believe that their are remains of the dead in Yasukuni....

  Somethings never change in JT.

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  TonyUS at 01:18 PM JST - 7th August

  Well if there where bodies or remains there then maybe there would be a base for debating the issue, since there is not,, I see the topic completely ridiculous and of business to no one. Just shows the hatred others have produced in societies and the use of that hate as a tool of distraction of their own problems and just another addition to , their own social problems within their societies. Injection of hate for the leaders own advantages.. PETHETIC!

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  nigelboy at 01:29 PM JST - 7th August

  Think of Yasukuni as Barnes and Nobles Bookstore.

  Although Banres and Nobles Bookstore(Yasukuni) carry (enshrine) adult magazines (war criminals), it does not promote pornography (militarism).

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  JoeBigs at 01:42 PM JST - 7th August

  Well said nigelboy, but your statement will fall on dead ears. If this were not a Japanese memorial to their war heroes rather a memorial in another country no one would care.

  But this is a Japanese memorial and Japans neighbors to the north hate anything Japanese that instill and promote Japanese pride of any kind.

  If the PM was really a person who respected his peoples past, maybe he would go to the shrine. But he is more interested in getting a seat on the UN security council the next time around.

  Too bad he is not willing to remember all those that died for his country.

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  nandakandamanda at 02:42 PM JST - 7th August

  Cleo. Not meaning to espouse taikan's views, but merely quoting and commenting. Thank you for the valid clarification, though.

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  thedeath at 03:26 PM JST - 7th August

  how could one name those war criminals who destroyed not only their neighbor, but also their fellow citizen life, as their national heros! If japan was forced into the war and this people stood up for their country. I think that was a real war hero. But this is not the case.

  This people are the aggressor brought the war to this region, offer the slow and painful dead to people in their own country. And some freak still couth this evils as national hero!

  Who indeed respect / disrespect to his/her people past?

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  nandakandamanda at 03:57 PM JST - 7th August

  Er, I don't think anyone, apart from a few right-wingers, is calling them national heroes.

  That has never, ever been the problem.

  The problem is that a few 'A' class war criminals' names were added to the memorial there. That complicates visitors' feelings. A lot of people would like to remove those names so that everyone can visit freely and pray for eternal rest for the souls of the war dead, so at least they don't suffer 'there', as maybe they did here.

  Most of the souls named there are not heroes. They are just people who died for their country one way or another.

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  TonyUS at 02:15 PM JST - 8th August

  Nanda, I can agree with your words very well. But if the Shrine is for recognition of the dead who died in the light of fighting for their country, then the few that are named there should not mean no one that is enshrined there should not have recognition. This is the point as I see it and also if those that go there say they are not paying tribute to those that are so called war criminals, then who is to say that they are??? As I have said, this is just a topic and issue others from countries that have their own problems use as a deterrent of these problems, especially China. They have been the main instigators, and look at the problems they have when it comes to a society..

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  Hoolie at 07:53 AM JST - 12th August

  Think of Yasukuni as Barnes and Nobles Bookstore.

  Although Banres and Nobles Bookstore(Yasukuni) carry (enshrine) adult magazines (war criminals), it does not promote pornography (militarism).

  Except Yasukuni DOES promote militarism. Go visit the place, check out the museum.

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