The Complex Legacy of Japan’s Yasukuni Shrine

Emperor Meiji first visited the site that would later become Yasukuni Shrine in 1874. At that time, he pledged the names of those who died for their country would be remembered forever. Today, Yasukuni is a memorial in central Tokyo honoring over 2.4 million individuals, including 14 war criminals, who are remembered each August 15, marking Japan’s surrender in World War II.

The shrine offers solace to some families who mourn relatives and others expressing gratitude. But for many Asian countries, Yasukuni symbolizes Japan’s militarism due to their experiences during Japanese imperial expansion. Visits by Japanese leaders often provoke criticism from China and South Korea, who view them as insufficient remorse for wartime actions.

The Shrine’s Origin

Yasukuni’s establishment came during a significant period in Japan’s history. In the 19th century, Japan’s imperial rule returned after a military government dissolved its power. Emperor Meiji ordered the shrine’s construction in 1869, a year into the new imperial era, eventually naming it Yasukuni.

The name ‘Yasukuni’ translates to “peaceful country” in Japanese, and its purpose was to honor those who defended the imperial cause. According to Akiko Takenaka, a history professor at the University of Kentucky, it was intended to send a message about the emperor and a new Japan, where honor was bestowed on those who sacrificed for the empire. In that period, Emperor Meiji was seen as the ultimate authority who could honor the fallen.

Intertwining of Religion and Government

Under Shinto beliefs, Japan’s emperors are considered descendants of the sun goddess Amaterasu. During the Meiji era, the concept of State Shinto emerged, enhancing the idea of the emperor’s divine origins. The government controlled shrine practices and finances, intertwining religion and state.

The separation of religion and government came post-WWII with U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s order in December 1945 to abolish State Shinto. This halted government funding for shrines and removed Shinto from public institutions. Consequently, Yasukuni became a private religious entity, and official visits raised constitutional concerns about religious separation.

Controversial Enshrinement

Yasukuni is not a cemetery; the shrine remembers people as “kami,” sacred spirits in the Shinto tradition. It includes soldiers, women who aided in battles, students who supported war production, and foreign nationals who served Japan.

The enshrinement of 14 Class-A war criminals, including wartime Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, remains contentious. Enshrined secretly in 1978, their inclusion caused Emperor Hirohito to abstain from further visits. Hirohito’s successors have refrained from visiting, though they send emissaries to important rites.

Other debated enshrinements involve Buddhists, Christians, Koreans, and Taiwanese included without consent. Legal actions have been taken, but courts have denied removing any names.

Diverse Significance

For some bereaved family members, Yasukuni holds personal grief. For others, it represents reclaiming national pride lost after the war and occupation.

The adjacent Yushukan Museum displays wartime artifacts, often criticized for omitting experiences of China and Korea under Japan’s imperialism. John Breen, a scholar, stated the museum portrays a one-sided, heroic view of war.

Some visitors, like Tokyo Assembly member Kana Shindo, see spiritual importance in visiting without endorsing war. Shindo emphasizes politicians’ right to religious freedom, visiting to reflect and appreciate past sacrifices that led to today’s peaceful Japan.

Family Bonds

Japanese soldiers were told they would be enshrined at Yasukuni if they died. Families received similar messages, as noted by Toshiei Mizuochi, president of the Japan War-Bereaved Families Association. His father, who died in 1945, is among those honored.

With an estimated 1 million war remains unrecovered, many bereaved families believe Yasukuni holds the spirits of the deceased. They visit the shrine frequently for ceremonies, anniversaries, and personal milestones, as Mizuochi does, often recalling his father through these visits.

Yasukuni Shrine remains a deeply emotive and complex symbol, intertwined with both personal and national histories.