Yasukuni Temple Japan
Highlights
- The history of Yasukuni Temple is quite disputed
- Ruckus after Japanese ministers’ temple visit
- China and South Korea issued statements
Yasukuni Temple: Tension in East Asia has once again increased after two Japanese ministers visited the disputed war memorial temple on Monday. China and South Korea have been enraged by their doing so. The temple, which the ministers have visited, is seen as a military-dominated site of the Second World War. The name of this temple is Yasukuni Shrine, which is located in the capital Tokyo. It has been built in the memory of 23 lakh people who lost their lives in the war. Most of them were Japanese people. On the other hand, the names of those who are considered war criminals are also recorded here.
What is the reason for the displeasure?
China and South Korea are often angry about official visits to this temple. Both these countries still believe that many countries were harassed by the Japanese army during and after the war, but China and South Korea were harassed the most. A statement has also been issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry in this matter.
In his angry statement, spokesman Wang Wenbin called it a “seriously provocative move”. “China urges Japan to learn from history, end militarization, and avoid losing the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community,” he said. Apart from this, the government of South Korea has also described this visit to the memorial as a ‘disappointing incident’.
South Korea’s foreign ministry has said that the monument reflects the greatness of Japan, which has been associated with previous wars, as well as the place where war criminals were located. Japan’s Minister of Economic Security Sanai Takichi and Minister of Reconstruction Kenya Akiba visited the temple located in the Tohoku area. He had come here to pay tribute on the 77th anniversary of World War II. Although Takichi visit the temple on other days as well. He was considered close to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Why is there so much resentment about the temple?
Japan surrendered in World War II. Eight decades after this defeat, the Yasukuni Temple still serves as a reminder of that painful time of war in East Asia. This temple was built in 1869. Which is visible even from tall buildings. It used to get financial help from the government till 1945. Yasukuni is made up of two words, which in Japanese mean country and peace. This temple is considered the center of Shintoism, the religion of the country. Under Shintoism, there were many appeals to fight the country’s population in the name of a spiritual king.
In 1978, 14 leaders of World War I were honored here. Two of these leaders were declared ‘Class A’ war criminals by a court in 1948. One of them was named Hideki Tojo, who was the Prime Minister of Japan. It was said that some people, including Tojo, were accorded the status of gods in a secret ceremony held here the same year. When this news came out, there was a lot of uproar. Many people from Japan still visit Yasukuni Temple to pay tribute to their relatives. But China and South Korea believe that war criminals were honored here.
Korea and China’s pain
Japan ruled Korea from 1910 to 1945 and even today South Korea harasses it for it. At the same time, from 1931 to 1945, Japan also occupied parts of China. Due to which the relations between these two countries are not normal even today. Critics of Japan believe that this temple represents the army.
Along with this, it is also said that how the visit of leaders violates religion and constitution. There is also a museum here about the war that Japan fought to liberate Asia from Western rule. Critics say the atrocities committed by the Japanese military have been overlooked. But there are also the names of thousands of Taiwan and Korean citizens killed in the war.
The king also refrained from coming to the temple.
King Hirohita of Japan has visited the temple eight times. He came here for the last time in 1975. He says that now he does not come here because of the unhappiness of the people. His son Ahihito never came here. Nor has the current King Naruhito come to the temple. Akihito became king in 1989 and remained the king of the country until 2019. Since 2013, no Prime Minister of Japan has come here. In 2013, the then Prime Minister Abe had visited the temple. After which the anger of China and Korea went to the seventh heaven. Even the US, a close ally of Japan, had condemned it.
Japan was surprised by this move of America. Fumio Kishida, who became prime minister in October last year, has traditionally donated money in the name of this temple. In recent months, Kishida has spoken of improving relations with South Korea. He says that both the countries have no more time left to waste. Therefore, the relations will have to be improved by resolving the issues related to the war.
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