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Japanese Association Opposes PM's Visit to Yasukuni Shrine
The Japan-China Friendship Association made a resolution June 19 on opposing Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and cabinet members' paying homage to the Yasukuni Shrine, where spirit tablets for top war criminals as Hideki Tojo are worshipped.
Since taking office Koizumi has time and again openly indicated that he would pay tribute to Yasukuni Shrine in the capacity as Japanese PM, calling it as "paying respects to those died in war".
The resolution says the PM's visit is, fundamentally speaking, totally different from mourning over people died in war. It will cause neighboring countries to doubt and distrust our determination to introspect the past war and on this basis to pursue peace and friendship.
The resolution notes, it is clearly recorded in the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement that Japan feels deeply its responsibility for the enormous harm done to China by the war it launched and expresses its profound retrospection. Former PM Tomiichi Murayama also expressed Japan's "deep regret and self-examination" to the international community.
The visit has sparked severe criticism and opposition from China and other Asian countries, the resolution points out, and will surely damage the ties between them if not checked.
In June 1986, Chief Cabinet Secretary Gotouda Fujita also delivered a speech on the principle that PM should not visit Yasukuni Shrine considering ties with neighboring countries and emotions of their peoples. There is no basic change in the current objective situation and the one obtaining at that time.
"Therefore we strongly demand the government to stop visits to the Yasukuni Shrine by cabinet members led by the PM."
By PD Online Staff Li Heng
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