[Buddha-l] Japanese Buddhism and War

[Vicente Gonzalez]

HANGZHOU, April 14 (Xinhua) - A Japanese monk said here Friday that
most Japanese are suspicious of their Prime Minister Junichiro
Koizumi's visits to the Yasukuni shrine that honors some World War II
criminals. 

    "Koizumi claims his visit to the shrine is an 'issue of his inner
    world', but why doesn't he pay homage to other shrines and
    temples?" Uchiyama Gyoho, abbot of the Tokyo-based temple
    Ichijyoin Nichirensyu, told Xinhua at the First World Buddhist Forum.   

    The forum held in this scenic city which is known as "Paradise on
    Earth" runs from April 13-16.

    There are many famous temples in Japan that boast history over
    1,000 years while the Yasukuni shrine is only 150 years old.

    Japan's constitution stipulates that politics and religion should
    be separated so Koizumi's visits are in violation of laws,
    Uchiyama said.  

    Japanese Buddhists regard China as the "homeland of Buddhism" as
    the religion was first introduced to Japan from China and the
    forum offers a good opportunity for exchanges between Buddhists
    from the two countries, he said.   

    "Japanese Buddhists have been working for Japanese-Chinese
    friendship and we'll stick to it."

    Koizumi has visited the Yasukuni shrine several times since he
    took office in 2001, which honors 2.5 million war dead and 14
    Class-A war criminals from World War II. Enditem  

http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-04/14/content_4424342.htm