War shrine is an open invitation to Japan’s extremists
Dawn broke, shortly after 5 am, over a political heart of darkness. The sun’s rays cast an unflattering light on the shadow world of Japanese militarism in its pomp and glory at the Yasukuni Shrine.
The banners, illegally displayed, celebrated past conquest and brutality.
The first parade, and I use the term in a broad sense, as it was hardly a display of martial discipline, passed the two-meter tall sign, halfway up the shrine, at 8:40 am. The sign they passed, under their fluttering radiant sun flags, said in both Japanese and English that military banners, parades and weapons were strictly prohibited.
When it chooses, Japan is one of the most law-abiding societies in the world. On Aug 15, a day of political infamy in Tokyo, it chooses not to enforce the wartime banner law.
These were not old comrades reminiscing in the twilight of their years about battles won and lost, about fate’s quirks of benevolence. These were men determined to resurrect and nurture a new generation of militarism.
“We need a strong Japan,’’ one said. “One that can stand on its own.’’
T-shirts with English writing said “Japan Must Stand Up”, code if any was needed for a stronger military. Other T-shirts being sold outside the main gate with the chrysanthemum logo of the shrine came in small and medium sizes.
The first riot police took up position at Kudanshita subway station, the nearest to the shrine, shortly after 6:30 am. The first crowd-control barriers were erected outside the main entrance at 6:40 am. Just before 11 am doves were released and by 11:15 am a fleet of 27 coaches had been parked nearby, bringing in people as if in tour groups.
At 10:36 am the crowd was streaming through the main gate at the rate of more than 100 every minute. A serving military officer and a two-striped sergeant arrived wearing full military uniform, complete with white gloves. Just how they could justify their presence when their head of state dare not visit was something that did not seem to perplex them as they ambled toward the shrine.
A Japanese man, dressed in a Waffen-SS uniform, posed for photographs. “We must fight the good fight,” he said.
Stalls did a brisk trade in trinkets, key rings and other mementos. Mothers bought ice cream for their children.
At midday, a minute’s silence was observed by most. Right-wing extremists and