Graffiti Controversy Strikes Tokyo Shrine for Second Time in Three Months

A Tokyo shrine seen as a symbol of Japan’s past militarism has been vandalized with graffiti for the second time in three months. The Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo honors 2.5 million mostly Japanese killed in wars since the late 19th century, including convicted war criminals.

According to officials, three government ministers and scores of lawmakers recently paid homage at the shrine on the 79th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. This move has angered some Asian neighbors and former victims of Japan’s imperialism, especially China and South Korea.

The latest incident of vandalism was confirmed by a Yasukuni shrine official, who declined to elaborate further. Footage from Japan’s public broadcaster NHK shows a stone pillar defaced with Chinese words meaning “Dog toilet shit. Militarism go to hell.”

In May, a Chinese man was arrested for allegedly spraying the word “toilet” in red on a pillar at the shrine. Jiang Zhuojun, 29, was apprehended “on suspicion of vandalism and disrespect for a place of worship,” according to Tokyo police.

The Yasukuni shrine also houses a museum that presents Japan as a victim of US aggression in WWII, while downplaying the atrocities committed by Imperial troops during their Asia-Pacific campaign. This omission has been widely criticized by neighboring countries and human rights groups.

The latest incident has reignited controversy surrounding the shrine’s significance and the sensitivity of its memorials. As the world grapples with the complexities of historical legacies, the ongoing struggle for reconciliation and apologies from Japan continues to simmer in the background.

Source: AFP