It may be a matter of minutes or a matter of days. But it looks like Koizumi does indeed plan to visit the infernal shrine, the source of all the world’s evil.
China has warned Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi against visiting the controversial war-linked Yasukuni shrine. Speculation is rising that Mr Koizumi, who steps down in September, may visit Yasukuni around 15 August, the anniversary of Japan’s WWII surrender. Countries in the region say the shrine honours Japan’s militarist past.
Fourteen Class A war criminals are among the 2.5 million war dead commemorated there. China had always opposed the shrine visits, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“This position is clear and consistent. We hope that Japan’s leaders can be highly responsible towards history, the people and the future and change their erroneous ways.”
Mr Koizumi has visited the shrine five times since taking office in 2001, but never on the day of the anniversary.
Brace youself for the next onslaught of Japanophobia as Koizumi commits the great sin. As I’ve said countless times, Koizumi should stop going. And as I’ve also said countless times, those who are offended should focus on the stuff that really matters, and wake up to how the government is using them. China knows full well that in the face of demands like this, Koizumi must visit the shrine, if only to appear not to be giving in. Nothing scares the Chinese government more than the idea of Koizumi not going to the shrine.
1
By kevin
At this point, if he didn’t go, it would turn into another Chinese circle jerk about how “important and powerful” China is and how the nations of the world must now “respect” it and its requests. China would love to place Japan in the “little brother” position, but this is clearly not something Japan is interested in. Leave that to Lien Chan.
August 11, 2006 @ 3:05 am | Comment
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By YY
No he won’t disappoint, though it would be a good goof if didn’t visit. Unfortunately this level of humour would be beyond him and he’s too damn self rightous as well as stubborn.
He should avoid for the sake of Korea-Japan relations. China situation will not really change as it is constantly manipulated by the Chinese government anyway.
August 11, 2006 @ 4:49 am | Comment
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By tomboy
Maybe if China wants Koizumi to stop visiting the shrine the CCP should close Mao’s Mausoleum, out of respect for the millions of dead chines he killed. But then they’d lose out on the money gained from recycling plastic flowers sold to all the old ladies visiting.
I guess I’m just a cynic about this stuff.
August 11, 2006 @ 7:57 am | Comment
4
By Skippy-san
I think that Koizumi should go. To thumb his nose at the bastards in China is a good reason.
However the better reason is that Japan has paid for its sins. They deserve to be allowed to honor their war dead, just like other nations do.
August 16, 2006 @ 3:47 am | Comment
5
By Skippy-san
I think that Koizumi should go. To thumb his nose at the bastards in China is a good reason.
However the better reason is that Japan has paid for its sins. They deserve to be allowed to honor their war dead, just like other nations do.
August 16, 2006 @ 3:49 am | Comment