The New York Times

The Opinion Pages

Editorial

Risky Nationalism in Japan

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Published: December 26, 2013

On Thursday, one year after coming to power, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Yasukuni, the controversial Shinto shrine that honors Japan’s war dead, including war criminals from World War II. China and South Korea swiftly criticized the move, as did the United States. Mr. Abe’s visit will worsen Japan’s already tense relations with China and South Korea, which see the shrine as a symbol of imperial Japan’s wars of aggression and colonialism. The United States Embassy said America was “disappointed that Japan’s leadership has taken an action that will exacerbate tensions with Japan’s neighbors.” [Read More!]

靖国参拝　米が「失望」　安倍首相に異例の声明

東京新聞 2013年12月27日 07時11分

　安倍晋三首相は26日、東京・九段北の靖国神社を参拝した。靖国神社には極東国際軍事裁判で有罪判決を受けたＡ級戦犯が合祀（ごうし）されており、中国と韓国は強く反発。両国との溝を一段と深めた。日本と中韓両国の関係悪化を懸念し、自制を促してきた米国も「失望している」とする異例の声明を即座に発表。日米関係にも影を落としかねない。 [Read More!]

The NewYork Times

EDITORIAL

Japan’s Dangerous Anachronism

Published: December 16, 2013

The government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe this month rammed through Parliament a state secrecy law that signals a fundamental alteration of the Japanese understanding of democracy. The law is vaguely worded and very broad, and it will allow government to make secret anything that it finds politically inconvenient. Government officials who leak secrets can be jailed for up to 10 years, and journalists who obtain information in an “inappropriate” manner or even seek information that they do not know is classified can be jailed for up to five years. The law covers national security issues, and it includes espionage and terrorism. [Read More!]