中文
Protesters in Tokyo, Japan, August 15, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
By Malik Ayub Sumbal
The tribune paid by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his key Cabinet ministers, including Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, to Yasukuni Shrine on August 15 has reignited a contentious debate regarding Japan's militarized past and its implications under Japan's Constitution.
The Yasukuni Shrine is particularly controversial due to its enshrinement of 14 Class A war criminals from World War II (WWII), as well as over 1,000 others convicted by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, secretly buried in 1978. This inclusion has drawn widespread condemnation and outrage, both domestically and globally.
The shrine's legacy is deeply intertwined with Japan's militaristic past, and it is viewed as a symbol of the aggressive militarism that characterized Japan during the early 20th century. Following the end of WWII, the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers issued the "Shinto Directive," which aimed to separate Shinto shrines from the state and effectively dismantle State Shintoism. This separation is enshrined in Article 20 of the Japanese Constitution, which took effect on May 3, 1947, establishing a clear principle of the separation of religion and politics.
Ishiba's actions, however, have raised questions about their constitutionality, particularly in light of Article 20, which prohibits any government action that would integrate religious practices into state policy. By visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, Ishiba appears to be contravening this constitutional mandate, suggesting a troubling alignment of Shintoism with state affairs.
Moreover, Article 89 of the Constitution explicitly states that "no public money or other property shall be expended or appropriated for the use, benefit or maintenance of any religious institution or association, or for any charitable, educational or benevolent enterprises not under the control of public authority." The implications of this article suggest that any state involvement with the Yasukuni Shrine, including the financial support or endorsement of visits by public officials, could be deemed unconstitutional.
Historically, attempts to formalize the relationship between the Yasukuni Shrine and the state have faced major public backlash. In 1969, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) proposed a bill aimed at placing the shrine under state protection. However, widespread opposition from various religious groups, including Buddhists and Christians, as well as concerns about the potential revival of militarism, led to the bill being abandoned in 1974.
Despite the shrine's controversial status, members of the LDP have continued to pay homage there, often framing their visits as private acts rather than official state endorsements. This approach has not shielded them from international criticism. For instance, when former Japanese Prime Minister Miki Takeo visited the shrine on August 15, 1974, he attempted to characterize the visit as personal; however, this justification was denounced both within Japan and by neighboring countries, particularly South Korea and China.
The 1980s saw similar rows, with the late Japanese Prime Minister Nakasone Yasuhiro facing backlash for his visits to the shrine, which were interpreted as tacit endorsements of Japan's militaristic past. The then Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro's annual tributes during his tenure from 2001 to 2006 were also vehemently criticized, straining Japan's diplomatic relationships with China and South Korea. The tensions were so severe that no official summits occurred between Japan and South Korea throughout his administration.
The majority of the Japanese population supports the constitutional separation of religion and politics, recognizing its importance in preventing the resurgence of emperor-centered Shintoism and militarism.
Ishiba's recent tribute at the Yasukuni Shrine is viewed by many as an attempt to downplay Japan's wartime atrocities, massacres and other war crimes committed during WWII. This act has further stirred national and international discourse on the principle of separation between religion and state in Japan, as well as the ongoing impact of historical grievances.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has characterized the Yasukuni Shrine as a spiritual symbol of Japan's militaristic wars of aggression, urging Japan to confront its historical actions as a prerequisite for improving ties with its neighbors. Similarly, South Korea's foreign ministry expressed "deep disappointment and regret" over Ishiba's actions, slamming the visit as a reminder of Japan's militaristic past.
The tribute paid by Ishiba, alongside ministerial visits to Yasukuni Shrine, serves as a painful reminder of the war criminals enshrined there. Such actions are likely to leave deep scars on the collective memory of those who suffered under Japanese militarism. Japan should face up to its history and engage in deep reflection. Only through concrete actions and an unwavering commitment to the path of peaceful development can it earn the trust of its Asian neighbors.
Malik Ayub Sumbal, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is an award-winning journalist, geopolitical analyst and author of the book Tovuz to Karabakh, A Comprehensive Analysis of War in South-Caucasus.
