TOKYO — Japan marked the 58th anniversary of its surrender at the end of World War II in a ceremony Friday led by the emperor and empress, while four cabinet ministers visited the controversial Yasukuni war shrine.
The official ceremony, attended by some 6,200 people including veterans, relatives of war dead, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, began at Tokyo's Budokan hall at 11:50 a.m. with the singing of the national anthem, "Kimigayo" ("Thy Reign").
After bowing before a cenotaph dedicated to some 3.1 million war victims, Koizumi, dressed in a black morning coat and tails, renewed a pledge renouncing war and expressed remorse for Japan's aggression against its Asian neighbors.
"We look back back humbly on the past and firmly maintain our promise to renounce war," he said.
"Our country above all inflicted great pain and damage on our neighboring countries in Asia," Koizumi said. "We will put all our efforts to building friendly relations with all nations and contribute to everlasting peace."
Emperor Akihito led a minute's silence while bowing before the wooden monument, which was flanked by a huge display of white and gold chrysanthemums.
"I earnestly hope that the disaster of war will never be repeated," the emperor said. "With all the people of Japan, I mourn for those fallen in war and those scattered by the battlefields. I pray for world peace and the development of our nation."
Earlier, Koizumi laid flowers at the Chidorigafuchi cemetery for some 350,000 unknown soldiers in Tokyo and, in line with a previous pledge, stayed away from the Yasukuni Shinto shrine to Japan's war dead, visits to which by Japanese leaders invariably prompt protests from elsewhere in Asia.
Koizumi made his second trip since becoming premier to Yasukuni in a surprise visit in January, drawing harsh criticism from South and North Korea, and said he would not visit on the sensitive anniversary.
The shrine is widely seen as a symbol of Japan's former militarism, particularly since 1978 when it enshrined 14 convicted Class-A war criminals including wartime prime minister General Hideki Tojo.
However, four cabinet ministers — Yoshitada Konoike, minister in charge of disaster prevention; Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Yoshiyuki Kamei; Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Takeo Hiranuma and National Public Safety Commission Chairman Sadakazu Tanigaki did visit the shrine in driving rain.
Tokyo Gov Shintaro Ishihara and House of Representatives Speaker Tamisuke Watanuki joined the ministers in making a visit.
"There have been people who died in the line of duty in the past and I paid homage because I think our country's foundation lies on such people's sacrifice," said Tanigaki.
In all, more than 50 members of the Diet visited the shrine Friday, according to media reports.
Right-wingers were also seen roaming the shrine precincts, carrying rising-sun flags. About 800 veterans, students and other people braved the rain to take part in a ceremony at the shrine. (Wire reports)
Article reprinted courtesy of Japan Today: http://www.japantoday.com
Please also see:
August Marks Another Anniversary of the Atomic Bombing of Japan, the Ultimate Act of TerrorismIn Which 231,920 People Have Now Died, the Latest, the Children of 1945, From a Plague of Cancers
by John Pilger:
http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0815-06.htm
Hiroshima Mayor Blasts Bush
Agence France Presse, Arab News:
http://www.aljazeerah.info/News%20archives/2003%20News%20archives/August/7%20n/Hiroshima%20Mayor%20Blasts%20Bush.htm
and please visit the City of Hiroshima website:
http://www.city.hiroshima.jp/index-E.html
The official ceremony, attended by some 6,200 people including veterans, relatives of war dead, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, began at Tokyo's Budokan hall at 11:50 a.m. with the singing of the national anthem, "Kimigayo" ("Thy Reign").
After bowing before a cenotaph dedicated to some 3.1 million war victims, Koizumi, dressed in a black morning coat and tails, renewed a pledge renouncing war and expressed remorse for Japan's aggression against its Asian neighbors.
"We look back back humbly on the past and firmly maintain our promise to renounce war," he said.
"Our country above all inflicted great pain and damage on our neighboring countries in Asia," Koizumi said. "We will put all our efforts to building friendly relations with all nations and contribute to everlasting peace."
Emperor Akihito led a minute's silence while bowing before the wooden monument, which was flanked by a huge display of white and gold chrysanthemums.
"I earnestly hope that the disaster of war will never be repeated," the emperor said. "With all the people of Japan, I mourn for those fallen in war and those scattered by the battlefields. I pray for world peace and the development of our nation."
Earlier, Koizumi laid flowers at the Chidorigafuchi cemetery for some 350,000 unknown soldiers in Tokyo and, in line with a previous pledge, stayed away from the Yasukuni Shinto shrine to Japan's war dead, visits to which by Japanese leaders invariably prompt protests from elsewhere in Asia.
Koizumi made his second trip since becoming premier to Yasukuni in a surprise visit in January, drawing harsh criticism from South and North Korea, and said he would not visit on the sensitive anniversary.
The shrine is widely seen as a symbol of Japan's former militarism, particularly since 1978 when it enshrined 14 convicted Class-A war criminals including wartime prime minister General Hideki Tojo.
However, four cabinet ministers — Yoshitada Konoike, minister in charge of disaster prevention; Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Yoshiyuki Kamei; Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Takeo Hiranuma and National Public Safety Commission Chairman Sadakazu Tanigaki did visit the shrine in driving rain.
Tokyo Gov Shintaro Ishihara and House of Representatives Speaker Tamisuke Watanuki joined the ministers in making a visit.
"There have been people who died in the line of duty in the past and I paid homage because I think our country's foundation lies on such people's sacrifice," said Tanigaki.
In all, more than 50 members of the Diet visited the shrine Friday, according to media reports.
Right-wingers were also seen roaming the shrine precincts, carrying rising-sun flags. About 800 veterans, students and other people braved the rain to take part in a ceremony at the shrine. (Wire reports)
Article reprinted courtesy of Japan Today: http://www.japantoday.com
Please also see:
August Marks Another Anniversary of the Atomic Bombing of Japan, the Ultimate Act of TerrorismIn Which 231,920 People Have Now Died, the Latest, the Children of 1945, From a Plague of Cancers
by John Pilger:
http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0815-06.htm
Hiroshima Mayor Blasts Bush
Agence France Presse, Arab News:
http://www.aljazeerah.info/News%20archives/2003%20News%20archives/August/7%20n/Hiroshima%20Mayor%20Blasts%20Bush.htm
and please visit the City of Hiroshima website:
http://www.city.hiroshima.jp/index-E.html