Emperor Meiji first visited the site that would later become Yasukuni Shrine in 1874. He vowed that the names of those who died for their country would be honored there forever. Now, more than 2.4 million people are commemorated at this Shinto shrine in Tokyo. Among them are 14 war criminals, remembered annually on August 15, the date marking Japan’s World War II surrender.
The shrine offers spiritual comfort to those mourning relatives and to visitors expressing gratitude. However, it remains a symbol of Japan’s militaristic past for countries that experienced Japanese imperial rule. Visits by Japanese leaders often draw criticism from China and South Korea, which view them as showing insufficient remorse for wartime actions.
The Foundation of Yasukuni Shrine
Japan underwent a historic transformation when imperial rule was restored in the 19th century. In 1869, a year into the new era, Emperor Meiji ordered the shrine’s construction, later renamed Yasukuni, meaning ‘peaceful country.’ Its purpose was to honor those who died defending the imperial cause.
Akiko Takenaka, a professor of history, notes that Yasukuni Shrine was intended to convey messages about the emperor and a new Japan. In this vision, Emperor Meiji could grant the highest honor to those who sacrificed their lives for the empire.
Religion and State Intertwined
Japanese emperors have long been seen as descendants of the sun goddess Amaterasu, a belief embedded in Shintoism. During the Meiji era, the concept of State Shinto emerged. The government controlled shrine practices and finances, blurring the lines between patriotism and religion.
After Japan’s WWII surrender, State Shinto was abolished by General MacArthur, separating religion from the state. Yasukuni became a private entity, raising questions about constitutional separation during official visits.
Controversy Surrounding Enshrinement
Yasukuni is not a cemetery. Instead, it enshrines ‘kami,’ or divine spirits, in the Shinto tradition. These include soldiers, relief workers, students, and foreign nationals. The most contentious inclusions are the 14 Class-A war criminals, accused of planning and waging war. This group includes wartime Prime Minister Hideki Tojo. They were secretly enshrined in 1978 after Hirohito last visited.
Hirohito’s successors have sent representatives to Yasukuni but have not visited as emperors. Some enshrined individuals—Buddhists, Christians, and Koreans—were included without consent. Japanese courts have dismissed efforts to remove families from the shrine.
Diverse Meanings for Different People
For some, Yasukuni symbolizes personal grief, while others see it as part of restoring national pride. Adjacent to the shrine, Yushukan Museum displays wartime artifacts, critiqued for omitting the experiences of China and Korea under Japanese rule.
Certain visitors, like Kana Shindo, view the shrine as a place for spiritual reflection, unrelated to war endorsement. Shindo emphasizes freedom of religion and conscience, believing today’s peaceful Japan is built on past lives.
Ties to Bereaved Families
Before leaving for war, Japanese soldiers asked their families to visit them at Yasukuni. Toshiei Mizuochi, president of the Japan War-Bereaved Families Association, notes that many believe the spirits of the war dead reside there.
Families visit beyond August 15 to attend ceremonies, commemorate death anniversaries, and mark personal milestones. Mizuochi shares that each visit brings his late father to mind, maintaining a spiritual connection with the past.
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