1. The Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo Understanding and Transforming Chosen Traumas and Glories Tatsushi Arai

2. What is Yasukuni? (1) Yasukuni = “Pacifying the Nation” Yasukuni = “Pacifying the Nation” Shinto shrine dedicated to those who have died for the Japanese nation and the emperor since 1853. Shinto shrine dedicated to those who have died for the Japanese nation and the emperor since 1853. Built in 1869 by the Meiji Emperor to commemorate the victims of a civil war over “modernization”. Built in 1869 by the Meiji Emperor to commemorate the victims of a civil war over “modernization”.

4. What is Yasukuni? The event of 1853

5. What is Yasukuni? 2.5 million killed in wartime worshipped as “gods” 2.5 million killed in wartime worshipped as “gods” The “gods” include class A war criminals sentenced to death by the Tokyo Trial. The “gods” include class A war criminals sentenced to death by the Tokyo Trial. Embodiment of the emperor and national Shintoism till ‘45 Embodiment of the emperor and national Shintoism till ‘45

6. Rituals in Yasukuni: How do people become gods? Names recorded in the “Book of Souls” Names recorded in the “Book of Souls” Placed on a futon mat; prayers offered Placed on a futon mat; prayers offered Souls merging into the ocean of life Souls merging into the ocean of life

7. Musemum in Yasukuni (1) Views WWII and other wars as policies for self- defense Views WWII and other wars as policies for self- defense Wars fought to achieve equality among races, and remove western imperialism Wars fought to achieve equality among races, and remove western imperialism

8. Museum in Yasukuni (2)

9. Yasukuni: Why important? Official visits on August 15 by Japanese prime ministers cause controversies in China, Korea, Taiwan, etc. Official visits on August 15 by Japanese prime ministers cause controversies in China, Korea, Taiwan, etc. Damage on diplomatic relations Damage on diplomatic relations

10. Yasukuni as a cultural carrier Implications for chosen glories and traumas? Implications for chosen glories and traumas? Implications for the past-present link? Implications for the past-present link? What can we do about this? What can we do about this?

11. Okinawa - Cornerstone of Peace

12. Visions toward 2015: Asia-Pacific Peace Memorial Religiously “neutral” venue for prayer, joint reflection, and dialogue in Tokyo Religiously “neutral” venue for prayer, joint reflection, and dialogue in Tokyo Multi-national and communal – not exclusive nationalism Multi-national and communal – not exclusive nationalism Joint-visits by heads of state and ordinary citizens Joint-visits by heads of state and ordinary citizens Art, music, international youth camps – dedicated to future generations Art, music, international youth camps – dedicated to future generations