2010.06.26

Today's presentation was by Frank Baldwin about the Yasukuni Shrine. Though it is surrounded by controversy by native Japanese as well as a number of foreign powers, his presentation was clear and insightful as to why there is a lot of controversy. So, it has to do with a few factors. One factor is that they have included a number of people who were convicted of being War Criminals, and they arguement is that well they didn't die fighting the war, did they. However they did die as a result of the war, and though not all people agree they should have been executed for their actions, they did end up dead, and the people in charge of the shrine concluded that was a valid enough of a reason. My own opinion of this situation is: Why does my opinion matter? I wasn't involved in the war. I am not Japanese, and don't have a nationalistic reason to object. And it is a memorial. Let individual countries memorialize who they want. Yet, I do see the sticky situation. Another factor is that China does not deal with it well, and can put a lot of pressure when they want to (and they wanted to). Their opinion is if a prime minister visits it in an official capacity, China will not play ball. And then they will make movies reminding Chinese citizens of some atrocities of the war (perhaps exaggerated), and suggesting the Japanese are becoming more militant. Well isn't that politics and diplomacy for you. The Japanese don't have the capacity to fight a war (at this time), and though I was told they have the second largest navy in the world (what happened to Great Britain?), they are not re-gearing up for a militaristic action. This day and age is not the day of the Greater Co-Prosperity Sphere thinking, and it is easy in this modern age to glibly talk about those times as though we know anything and everything, without proper perspective, or having truly participated in the age itself by having lived through it can one really understand the intricacies and passions of those days. Is it a bother to me that there were weapons in such a revered memorial. Heck. I've been to forts on the border of New York and Canada that are there to remind people we beat the British. If you go to Gettysburg (a Civil War site) you can buy uniforms of either side and fake weaponry as well. I will say that when I see a zero bomber, my two thoughts are 1. 'Cool' 2. 'Holy Shit." That is, yes, it is interesting and it gives me the heeby jeebies at the same time. I will also say going to the Peace Museum in Hiroshima gives me the same reaction, especially when one is with 500 other Japanese students from the same school one has attended. So there you have it. Balance in all things, yes?