If I presume to call myself a historian, then it is of the 1066 and All That variety. In other words, I like to ask myself whether a certain event or phenomenon was A Good Thing or A Bad Thing. I have always regarded the Peace Constitution of Japan (Article 9) as A Very Good Thing, and strongly support the idea of it being awarded the Nobel Peace prize now. On balance I would further say that the Imperial system in Japan is also A Good Thing, especially thanks to the Imperial family which does honour and credit to the institution and the nation on a daily basis. But Yasukuni shrine I regard as an outdated and radioactively dangerous symbol of Japanese militarism, and A Very Bad Thing Indeed. If it were razed to the ground tomorrow, and a Peace Museum built on the site, I would rejoice greatly.
Posted on: Fri, 16 May 2014 19:45:24 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015