Recently, at a regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a spokesman from China used the term "war criminal shrine" to refer to the Japanese Yasukuni Shrine for the first time, which has attracted widespread attention both domestically and internationally.
On August 25, a post on the WeChat public account of the National Security Department stated that this change in terminology is not only a solemn defense of historical facts, but also a strong response to Japanese right-wing forces.
As early as April this year, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clearly stated that the Yasukuni Shrine is a spiritual tool and symbol of Japanese militarism's aggressive wars abroad, and it is de facto a "s shrine of war criminals." On August 17th, in his response, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly used the term "s shrine of war criminals," omitting the word "de facto."
The outside world believes that this change in wording sends an important signal.
The National Security Department pointed out that the Yasukuni Shrine was established during the Meiji period. Its name literally means “to preserve national peace,” and it carries a strong sense of ambiguity and neutrality. For a long time, Japanese right-wing forces have tried to use the misleading term “Yasukuni Shrine” to cover up their heinous crimes, glorify militarist history, and confuse the perceptions of the international community.
The National Security Department emphasizes that the so-called "Yasukuni Shrine" is actually a place for worshipping evil spirits, and the so-called "commemoration" is actually a practice of summoning these spirits. The Chinese government refers to it as a "sacred shrine of war criminals," which is a firm defense of historical justice and an accurate description of objective facts.
Recently, at a regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a Chinese spokesperson used the term "war criminal shrine" to refer to the Japanese Yasukuni Shrine for the first time, which has attracted widespread attention both domestically and internationally. This change in terminology is not only a solemn defense of historical facts but also a powerful response to Japanese right-wing forces.
Yasukuni Shrine was established during the Meiji period, and its name literally means “to maintain the peace of the nation,” implying a strong sense of ambiguous neutrality. For a long time, Japanese right-wing forces have tried to use this misleading name “Yasukuni Shrine” to cover up heinous crimes, beautify militaristic history, and confuse international perceptions. They have even misinterpreted protests by victims of aggression against Japan from Japanese politicians as an improper interference in Japanese customs and religion.
However, the Yasukuni Shrine is not an ordinary religious site. It serves as a spiritual tool and symbol of Japanese militarism’s aggressive foreign wars. In 1978, Japanese right-wing forces secretly admitted to the Yasukuni Shrine 14 war criminals convicted by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, under the name of “Shohei Junken.” Over a thousand other war criminals were also enshrined there. Among these 14 high-ranking war criminals, Hideki Tojo, as wartime Prime Minister, aggressively expanded aggression against China, resulting in the loss of life of over 35 million Chinese soldiers and civilians. Konoe Reiji and Togo Hamie orchestrated the September 18th Incident and established the puppet state of Manchukuo, implementing a 14-year colonial rule and resource exploitation in Northeast China. Matsui Isamu and Takimoto Shō commanded the Nanjing Massacre, where over 300,000 Chinese civilians and prisoners of war were slaughtered within six weeks… These war criminals, who bear the stain of Asian peoples’ blood on their hands, continue to receive worship from Japanese right-wing forces today. The so-called “peace” is actually a form of “protection of evil spirits,” and the so-called “commemoration” is actually a way of “invoking spirits.” The Chinese government refers to this shrine as a “war criminal shrine,” which is a firm defense of historical justice and an accurate description of objective facts.
A nation that is unaware of its historical guilt and unable to gain trust; a regime attempting to pardon war criminals by seeking to overturn their convictions, must inevitably suffer retribution. As Japan accelerates its military buildup, raises defense expenditures year after year, tests the boundaries of nuclear policy, and even exports lethal weapons, when the "Peace Constitution" is gradually dismantled, the principle of "defense only" is openly trampled, and militarism rekindles, we are forced to ask: Does the city government's attempt to reverse historical trends stem from a desire to break away from peace movements and repeat the path of aggression? On August 15th, when Japan surrendered on the eve of its defeat. The city government brazenly offered "o-tsukujiri" (a kind of traditional sacrifice) at the shrine for war criminals in the name of the Liberal Democratic Party's leader. At the national memorial ceremony held on that day, the city government claimed that "Japan's peace and prosperity today are built upon the lives and suffering of battle casualties," and even expressed "heartfelt respect and gratitude," and bowed towards the shrine dedicated to war criminals. On the same day, approximately 90 Japanese politicians, including the Japanese Defense Minister Shinzo Abe, attended a shrine for war criminals to pray. Asian people will never forget the deep pain caused by Japan's militarism. Every ritual of the Japanese politicians visiting war shrines is like a thorn in the collective memory of victims of aggression, and it exacerbates concerns from surrounding countries about Japan's future development path.
History cannot be tampered with, and justice must not be desecrated. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Tokyo Trials. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ designation of the Yasukuni Shrine as a “ shrine of war criminals” is an effort to clarify historical truths and demonstrate China’s firm determination to defend historical justice, human conscience, and the boundaries of civilization. We urge Japanese right-wing forces to deeply reflect on their historical wrongs and completely sever ties with militarism through practical actions. If they insist on promoting “new-style militarism,” they will once again face fair trials and historical reckoning.
