In August 2006, the Department of International Relations at Australian National University will host a workshop on reconciliation between Japan and China. Preparatory to the organization of that workshop, we invite you to brainstorm the topic electronically through this blog. The purpose of this blog is to invite discussion and debate about the best ways to encourage reconciliation between China and Japan.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Visits to Yasukuni Shrine on the Anniversary of Japan's Surrender
Reiji Yoshida, writing in the Japan Times of August 16, reports that only one minister in Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's cabinet visited Yasukuni Shrine on the 62nd anniversary of the Japan's World War II surrender. Prime Minister Abe instead offered a prayer at the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery, but former Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro did visit Yasukuni as he has on previous occasions. In his article, "One Minister Breaks Ranks, Visits Shrine," Yoshida briefly describes the controversies surrounding these visits, both domestically in Japan and with respect to Japan's Asian neighbors.
I attended the "Rape of Nanking" Conference at Princeton's Wilson Center of International Studies with the late Iris Chang as I was doing research for my novel, "The Gook Lover." She encouraged me to write my book even as she at the peak of her too-short brilliant career.
ReplyDelete"The Gook Lover" is a pro-Asian, but anti-Imperial Japan tale; the story of a young Japanese officer disillusioned by the Rape of Nanking.
He cheats, steals and betrays his friends in his rise from lowly latrine orderly during the U.S. Occupation. He eventually rides Japan's economic
boom to become acclaimed as the "Henry Ford of modern Japan." He only obeyed the first two-thirds of the ancient Chinese adage: "Think Organize. Do Good," in his long, eventful life. Then a casual glance in a
Manhattan book store window changes both him and possibly, that of Japan's denial of its war guilt.
I'll have review copies in three weeks for an Oct.-Nov. release date.
Would you like receive a review copy? There is no obligation of any kind, other than postage.
Or, I can e-mail a "backgrounder" with more info about the book and my bio.
Thank you.
Ron Wulkan
ronwulkan@msn.com