At Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, where the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II is celebrated today. The shrine honors Japan’s war dead, including some class-A war criminals.
Officially a peace celebration (with white doves being released) the event attracts a lot of nationalists, far-right figures and imperialists each year.
It’s scorching hot and at least two people have already been taken away by ambulance.
There’s a handful of people dressed up in WW2 uniforms, including a guy in a German Nazi uniform with signs saying "Our grandfathers were no criminals" and "We won’t forget, Japanese-German comradery" in German.
Pretty shocking to see how comfortable these people are walking around here in open support of Nazis/fascism. The whole thing seems pretty normalized. https://twitter.com/mxbernhard/status/1294485928514207745?s=21">https://twitter.com/mxbernhar... https://twitter.com/mxbernhard/status/1294485928514207745">https://twitter.com/mxbernhar...
Down the street from the shrine there are a few groups that mostly share their opposition to China with the Japanese nationalists, such as Falun Gong, a campaign for Uyghurs and one for a free Taiwan.
There is also a small group of Pakistani protestors demonstrating for a free Kashmir and in opposition to India.
Indian politicians have repeatedly visited the shrine and on the grounds of the shrine you can find a memorial for Radhabinod Pal. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radhabinod_Pal">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radh...
Pal is revered by Japanese nationalists because he was the only judge during the Tokyo Trials after WW2 who insisted none of the defendants were guilty, saying the US provoked a war with Japan.
In a nearby park a right-wing group is getting ready for a flag march towards the shrine. There& #39;ll also be a left counter demonstration a bit later on.
They are now marching down the street towards the shrine. Again you wouldn’t be seeing a sea of national flags like that in Germany, for example.
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