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!]