Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has fueled fresh debate this week with the possibility of visiting Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, a site that honors Japan's war dead but also houses the controversial Yushukan war museum. ⚠️
Known for her right-wing views on history, Takaichi has made similar visits in the past, challenging Japan's wartime narrative. Critics say a new visit could reopen old wounds and throw cold water on diplomatic ties.
Professor David Acevedo of the City University of New York told CGTN Stringer that such a move might strain relations with mainland China, the ROK and the United States. “It can hurt feelings we thought were already gone… it can frustrate all the hard work people are doing to improve the relationship,” he warned.
The Yushukan war museum inside the shrine has long been accused of whitewashing Japan’s wartime aggression and downplaying its crimes in World War Two. Voices from mainland China, the DPRK, the ROK and the United States have all urged Tokyo to face history head-on. As Prof. Acevedo put it, “You can’t whitewash history.”
With tensions simmering across the region, any trip to Yasukuni could be a major flashpoint. Will Takaichi go ahead? Stay tuned as we follow the story and what it means for Japan’s role on the world stage. 🌏
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
