A look at the history and beliefs behind Japan’s controversial shrine to the war dead
Emperor Meiji first visited the site that would become one of Japan’s most controversial shrines in 1874. He vowed that the names of those who died for their…
Japan's Yasukuni Shrine, located in central Tokyo, is a Shinto sanctuary dedicated to honoring the country's war dead. The shrine's history traces back to 1874 when Emperor Meiji first visited the site, which would eventually become one of Japan's most controversial shrines. Meiji vowed that the names of fallen soldiers would be eternally preserved at the shrine.
Over the years, Yasukuni has grown to encompass the remains of more than 2.4 million individuals, including 14 convicted war criminals. These individuals are honored each August 15, coinciding with the day Japan officially surrendered and ended World War II.
For some, Yasukuni provides solace for mourning relatives and gratitude for the sacrifices made. However, the shrine is also a source of controversy for Asian nations that were once under Japanese imperial rule and expansion. Visits by Japanese leaders to Yasukuni frequently draw criticism from China and South Korea, who view them as evidence of insufficient remorse for Japan's wartime aggression and imperial conquests.
Yasukuni's foundation was directly linked to the restoration of imperial rule in Japan after the fall of a military government that ruled for more than 250 years. In 1869, just a year into the new imperial era, Emperor Meiji ordered the construction of the shrine, which was later named Yasukuni. The name is derived from two Japanese characters meaning "peaceful country."
Its purpose was to honor those who perished defending the imperial cause, emphasizing the emperor's role in granting the highest honor to those who sacrificed their lives for the empire.
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