Emperor Meiji first visited the site destined to become one of Japan’s most contentious shrines in 1874. He pledged that those who died for their country would be eternally remembered there. Today, Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo commemorates more than 2.4 million individuals, including 14 war criminals. Each year on August 15, the anniversary of Japan’s WWII surrender, these individuals are also remembered.
The shrine offers solace for some who mourn loved ones and others who express gratitude. However, for Asian countries that suffered under Japanese rule and expansion, Yasukuni represents Japan’s militaristic past. Visits by Japanese leaders often provoke criticism from China and South Korea, which view them as a lack of remorse for wartime actions.
Yasukuni’s Historical and Religious Background
Following the restoration of imperial rule in the 19th century, Emperor Meiji ordered the construction of the shrine, originally established in 1869. Its name, derived from characters meaning “peaceful country,” reflects its purpose to honor those who defended the imperial cause.
According to Akiko Takenaka, a historian at the University of Kentucky, the shrine was intended to convey messages about the emperor and a new Japan. In this new era, the emperor conferred the highest honor on those who died in his service, promoting the idea that sacrificing life for the empire was an honor.
Intertwining of Religion and State
Japanese emperors have traditionally been seen as descendants of the sun goddess Amaterasu, a belief that solidified in the Meiji era through State Shinto. This resulted in government control over shrine practices and finances, merging patriotism with religious beliefs. As Susumu Shimazono noted, the Meiji reformers aimed to create a spiritual union between the people and the emperor.
After WWII, the U.S. mandated the separation of religion and state. In December 1945, Gen. Douglas MacArthur ordered the abolition of State Shinto, ending government funding for shrines and removing Shinto elements from public education. Yasukuni became a private religious entity, raising constitutional questions over state involvement.
Controversial Enshrinements
Yasukuni is not a cemetery; it enshrines “kami” or sacred spirits in the Shinto tradition. This includes soldiers, relief workers, mobilized students, and foreign nationals who served Japan. The shrine’s most contentious kami are 14 Class-A war criminals, including Hideki Tojo, linked to the attack on Pearl Harbor. They were secretly enshrined in 1978, a fact that deterred Emperor Hirohito from returning.
Controversies extend to Buddhists, Christians, Koreans, and Taiwanese enshrined without consent; legal efforts to remove them have failed in Japanese courts. Mark R. Mullins notes that for some, Yasukuni addresses personal grief, while others see it as a restoration of past pride.
Yasukuni’s Broader Implications
Adjacent to the shrine, the Yushukan Museum displays wartime artifacts but omits the perspectives of nations affected by Japanese imperialism. Scholar John Breen critiques its focus on a glorified narrative, excluding adversaries’ experiences.
Visitors, such as Kana Shindo, a Minato City Assembly member, find spiritual significance in Yasukuni. They emphasize that respecting the shrine does not equate to endorsing war, citing personal reflection and gratitude toward predecessors as motives.
Bereaved Families’ Connection
Soldiers were promised enshrinement at Yasukuni upon death. Toshiei Mizuochi, of the Japan War-Bereaved Families Association, shares how soldiers instructed families to visit them there. His father, a navy serviceman, perished just before the war’s end.
With over 2.4 million Japanese soldiers lost overseas and remains of about 1 million still unrecovered, families often perceive spiritual ties with Yasukuni. They attend ceremonies, mark death anniversaries, and report family milestones at the shrine.
Mizuochi recounts frequent visits, saying, “Every time I pray, my father’s portrait comes to mind.”
Associated Press religion coverage is supported by a collaboration with The Conversation US, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP holds sole responsibility for this content.
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