Temporary Suspension of Visits Due to COVID-19... Resuming from the 22nd
Criticism Expected Over War Glorification and Violation of Quarantine Rules
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Japanese lawmakers have announced their intention to resume collective visits to Yasukuni Shrine, where Class A war criminals are enshrined.
According to Kyodo News on the 8th, a group of Japanese ruling and opposition party lawmakers called the "Parliamentary Group Visiting Yasukuni Shrine Together" will resume collective visits to Yasukuni Shrine. Mizuo Toshiaki, the secretary-general of the group and a member of the Liberal Democratic Party in the House of Councillors, explained, "We will participate while maintaining social distancing."
The group is expected to hold a collective visit on the 22nd, coinciding with the spring grand festival (annual memorial service) at Yasukuni Shrine scheduled for the 21st to 22nd of this month.
Previously, collective visits by lawmakers were temporarily suspended from last spring due to the spread of COVID-19. Before the pandemic, collective visits to Yasukuni Shrine were held during the spring and autumn memorial services and on August 15, the day of Japan's defeat in World War II.
With Japanese lawmakers deciding to resume collective visits to Yasukuni Shrine, criticism is expected to persist that this act glorifies the war initiated by Japan.
Additionally, criticism is likely to arise regarding the move to resume collective visits amid a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases following the lifting of the state of emergency. As of the 7th, Japan recorded 3,453 new COVID-19 cases, a significant increase compared to around 1,100 cases a month ago.
Meanwhile, Yasukuni Shrine enshrines 14 Class A war criminals, including former Prime Minister Tojo Hideki, who was hanged following the Far East International Military Tribunal (Tokyo Trials).
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