Japanese PM Koizumi Visits Yasukuni Shrine
He said he would go. Good for his word, PM Koizumi visited the Yasukuni Shrine, resting place for WWII Class A war criminals.
The majority of the Japanese general public was opposed to the visit.
Business leaders overwhelmingly objected to the visit.
Still, he went.
It seems Japanese politicians in this case are no different than the politicians elsewhere. They do what they think is right…and think it is good.
It is not. It the job of the politician to represent the people who elected him, NOT to do as s/he pleases and tell the people what they think.
There is sure to be an uproar in China and South Korea – rightfully or not.
But after the cries die out, and they will….it will be back to business as usual.
South Korea and China aren’t about to cut ties with Japan because of some insensitive politician like Koizumi, PM or not. He is on his way out in about a month anyway.
What do you think?
>The majority of the Japanese general public was opposed to the visit.
I am not sure about that. I think about the thirds supports the visit, the thirds against, and the rest probably dont’t really care about it.
more than 50% supports it , according to the Goo user
There are a number of problems with his visits, but I think the Chinese government is using it as a way of deflecting and avoiding debate about domestic Chinese problems. At least the media in Japan is free, and has on a number of occasions put forward views that are critical of Koizumi’s visits. When the Chinese press is (more) free to publish articles that critizise the Chinese president and its own leadership, I suppose the world will be a better place, and we’ll see “business as usual” as you point out. As for South Korea, the current president is so unpopular that noone abroad really cares about him anyway.
Anyway, there is a strong peace movement in Japan, and a lot of healthy debate about this issue.
Leave a comment!
Subscribe to Email Updates
VC
CosmoFair Networks
_______________
A book by CosmoFair founder, Bill Belew, that might change your world
_______________
Authors
- Bill Belew (3189)
- Parasshuram Shalgar (923)
- Ranjita (87)
Powered by Authors WidgetTopics
Online
Archives
Recent Posts