Kyodo News is reporting that Yasukuni Shrine has started to distribute brochures in Korean and Chinese in an attempt to allow the people in those countries to better understand their positions.
The brochures explain the history and other details of the shrine. An English version is also available.
“There are an increasing number of visitors from China, Taiwan and South Korea, and the brochures are aimed at enhancing foreign visitors’ understanding of Yasukuni Shrine,” an official said.
The brochures say Yasukuni enshrines those who “were cruelly and unjustly tried as war criminals by a sham-like tribunal of the Allied Forces.”
They also refer to the Japan-China war, which started in 1937, as the China Incident and to World War II as the Great East Asian War.
“War is truly sorrowful. Yet to maintain the independence and peace of the nation and for the prosperity of all of Asia, Japan was forced into conflict,” the brochures say.
Thanks to Mr. Pink.
How are they distributing the brochures? Are they dropping them on town centres from low-flying planes in the traditional and time-honored fashion?
[…] Japundit reports that the Yasukuni Shrine is distributing brochures—in Chinese and Korean—to give visitors a better idea what the place is all about. To which Japundit commenter Overoften asks: How are they distributing the brochures? Are they dropping them on town centres from low-flying planes in the traditional and time-honored fashion? […]
The brochures say Yasukuni enshrines those who “were cruelly and unjustly tried as war criminals by a sham-like tribunal of the Allied Forces.”
And in doing so, the shrine-keepers in the late 1970s made a mockery of Yasukuni’s purported message of peace. Five of those enshrined were not executed, but rather, died of natural causes. One of them, Kiichiro Hiranuma, as a completely free person outside of prison.
Overoften, perhaps you should try reading the brochures and addressing their points instead of making a joke that isn’t funny. Kushibo, you should do the same instead of resorting to a red herring.
Too subtle for you, was it Paul? Never mind. Next time, eh.
Overoften—I thought it was funny.
No it wasn’t, overoften. I got the joke. It just isn’t funny.
Ah well, each to his own. Robert liked it.
Overoften, perhaps you should try reading the brochures and addressing their points instead of making a joke that isn’t funny. Kushibo, you should do the same instead of resorting to a red herring.
I’ve read the brochures, read the on-line site, and even went to the shrine’s museum where this is all laid out. Yasukuni has been hijacked by the right wing, which has laid out its historically twisted version of events and its justification for past and future actions. It is disturbing that some very powerful people in Japan either are supporters of this group or pander to those supporters.
It’s no red herring. It’s a lithmus test for the Japanese right wing.
I too have read what’s on offer and it’s nothing but the expected revisionist propaganda. So my initial comment stands.