Prime Minister Naoto Kan and all of his Cabinet Ministers decided not to visit the controversial Yasukuni Shrine

"Landep News"

Today is the anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II. It is seen as a day of reflection, on which many Japanese people pray for all those who died in the conflict.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan and all of his Cabinet Ministers decided not to visit the controversial Yasukuni Shrine. This came as a surprise to nobody, since Kan didn’t visit last year and has made statements in the past announcing that he would not visit the shrine. The Cabinet was expected to follow his lead.

Instead, they have put their focus the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery and the Memorial Ceremony for the War Dead at the Nippon Budokan:

A quote from Prime Minister’s official site:

The Government of Japan will hold a Memorial Ceremony for the War Dead at Nippon Budokan Hall to commemorate more than three million people who lost their lives in the war, in the presence of Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan and with the attendance of representatives of bereaved family members and representatives from all the sectors of society.
This ceremony is held by the Government of Japan, so as to reflect that the peace and prosperity that Japan enjoys today are founded on the ultimate sacrifices of those who lost their lives against their will in the war, thinking about their homeland and worrying about their families. The ceremony is intended for all the people of Japan to deeply offer their heartfelt prayers to the war dead and to renew our pledge to achieve everlasting peace.

Meanwhile, 52 lawmakers visited the Yasukuni Shrine. According to the Sankei Shimbun, most were members of opposition parties: 31 from the Liberal Democratic Party (including Sadakazu Tanigaki), 1 from the People’s New Party, and 4 from the Sunrise Part of Japan. There were also 14 from the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, including Yuichiro Hata and Kazuhiro Haraguchi.

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