Abe visits Yasukuni after saying Japan will help cabinet with diplomacy

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced on Twitter that he visited the Yasukuni Shrine, where he joined a class A war criminal from the Pacific War.

According to NHK on the 19th, former Prime Minister Abe posted on Twitter that day: “I visited the Yasukuni Shrine today. On the 16th of this month, I informed Yeongyeong about the resignation of the Prime Minister. ”

Yasukuni Shrine is a symbol of Japanese militarism. This is where the tablets of approximately 2,466,000 people who died in the war of aggression caused by Japan in the modern 100 years are enshrined, including 14 class A war criminals from the Pacific War, including Hideki Tojo (東條 英 機). Some 20,000 Koreans who were forcibly mobilized in the war are also known to have joined.

Former Prime Minister Abe resigned on the 16th due to a worsening chronic illness. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who served as his chief cabinet secretary, was replaced. Former Prime Minister Abe once visited the Yasukuni Shrine on December 26, 2013 during his tenure. At the time, Prime Minister Abe was criticized not only by Korea but also by China. He noted that he was disappointed even in America. As if aware of the criticism, he made a tribute called Masakaki (例 大 祭) every spring and every fall every year on August 15 of each year on the day of defeat. A tribute called Magusi-ryo (玉 串 料) was dedicated to the Yasukuni Shrine at private expense to replace the cult. It was in the name of “PLD President Shinzo Abe”.

Since I stepped down from the position of ‘Prime Minister’, it seems that I have visited the Yasukuni Shrine without being aware of neighboring countries.

In particular, he has shown his willingness to involve Suga’s cabinet in the diplomatic field, which is why this visit to the Yasukuni Shrine is attracting attention. If he cooperates, Suga’s cabinet is expected to eventually continue the “right wing” trend.

Earlier, former Prime Minister Abe said in an interview with the Yomiuri Shimbun on the 18th: “It is my job to support the Suga regime.” Yomiuri analyzed that “they showed their willingness to cooperate in the form of diplomatic envoys.”

Prime Minister Suga also assessed that “Prime Minister Abe’s top diplomacy is excellent” in a debate at the time of the Liberal Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate on the 12th. He mentioned that he would do his own diplomacy, but “I will consult (with Prime Minister Minister Abe) “. There is a possibility that Suga’s cabinet will continue to take a hard line with Korea.