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Statements Archive |
LAST UPDATE
October 18, 2005
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| October 17, 2005 |
Statement from Peace Boat against the visit of Japanese
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to the Yasukuni Shrine |
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Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s visit to the Yasukuni Shrine is an act of violence which is a threat to the peace and security of East Asia. It obstructs the stable diplomatic relationship between Japan and its Asian neighbors, which is to be built upon trust, by cooperation and by overcoming the brutal history of the past. We at Peace Boat protest the Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s visit to the Yasukuni Shrine, and demand its cessation.
Throughout the history of colonialism and The Pacific War, Japan has caused serious damage to the people of Asia. However, although Japan has managed to restore its economy and has now become the second largest economy in the world, it has not yet succeeded in fulfilling its role and responsibilities towards the neighboring countries of Asia.
Moreover, 60 years after the Second World War ended, the Koizumi regime promotes measures which lose Japan the trust of the people of Asia, such as preparing for the revision of the pacifist Japanese Constitution, glorifying the history of invasion, adopting textbooks that distort history, and postponing the withdrawal of the Self Defense Army from Iraq.
We at Peace Boat strongly claim that, creating a peaceful East Asia in which no threat of conflicts or tension exists, is only possible by rebuilding trust and relationships between East Asian citizens and Japanese citizens, both on a national and personal level.
We therefore consider the official visit to the Yasukuni Shrine by the Japanese Prime Minister to be an act that strongly abuses the trust of the people of Asia, isolates Japan within Asia, and impedes not only the future peace building of East Asia but also casts a shadow of doubt over prospects for peace worldwide.
We demand that the Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi immediately ceases the repeated official visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, and takes a responsible stance towards Asian countries.
For more information:
Peace Boat Head Office
Representative: Akira Kawasaki
Tel: 03-3363-7561
Fax: 03-3363-7562
Address: 3-14-3-2F Takadanobaba, Shinjuku, Tokyo 169-0075 |
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