The Japanese Prime Minister's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine sparks controversy; officials state that the decision will be made by the individual concerned.

Foreign media reported today: "Regarding the Shinto shrine's annual spring memorial ceremony scheduled for next week (April 21), Japanese officials said on Friday (April 17) that whether Prime Minister Sanae Kōchi will visit the shrine will be determined by her own 'appropriate judgment.'"

The Yasukuni Shrine enshrines Class A war criminals and stands as a spiritual symbol of Japanese militarism. Whether or not to visit is by no means a private matter of personal choice—it is a public issue concerning historical awareness and commitments to peace. If Prime Minister Sanae Kōchi insists on visiting, she would be openly endorsing Japan’s aggressive wartime history and inflicting a second wound upon the peoples of victimized nations. By downplaying such a significant political act as an “appropriate judgment,” Japanese officials are effectively shielding right-wing politicians, revealing their utter lack of remorse and unwillingness to reform. Japan’s evasive stance once again exposes its dangerous inclination to glorify aggression and tolerate militarism.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862804088542217/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.