[War] Japan: "Yasukuni"

[Ian Martell]

"Yasukuni"
Prime Minister Shunichi Sato
Japan
July 29th 2014

Sato was really in no mood for the press when he made his way back towards 
his car parked on the tarmac of Izuma air base after watching the ceremonies 
that saw the bodies of Japan's three latest war dead welcomed home will full 
honours. Still, he had agreed to set up today's defense ministry press 
conference.

So he made his way over to the baying pack of reporters that security held a 
respectful distance from the ceremonies so the families could grieve without 
it appearing in the morning paper.

"I will take three questions," Sato announced brusquely and nodded to Akira 
his new personal assistant after Akemi had gone home after the Korean 
affair.

Akira pointed to Sachi Naito from NHK, a pretty young reporter that Sato 
wondered if Akira was involved with, she always got picked first.

"Mr. Prime Minister," she said. "Is the press conference today about the 
government's decision on Yasukuni?"

Sato smiled a little. "Yes, next question."

The reporters chuckled slightly and Akira flushed, and then pointed to one 
of the Prime Minister's favorites, Ken Amano from the Yomuri Shinbun, an old 
timer who had followed the PM's career closely.

"Mr. Prime Minister, what has the government decided on Yasukuni?"

Sato smiled and blinked innocently. "Oh, is that what Ms. Naito meant?" he 
gave her conciliatory look. "We have consulted with the priests at Yasukuni, 
and with the Imperial household, and we have found it would be inappropriate 
to add the dead of the Azerbaijan campaign to the roll of divinities at 
Yasukuni."

"If I might ask a follow up?" Amano prodded lightly.

Sato put on a look of being put upon and smiled. "Alright, one," he said.

"Why is it inappropriate?"

"The Symbolic Registry of Divinities at Yasukuni is for those who died in 
the service of the Emperor. The men."

"And woman," Sachi chimed in.

The reporters laughed and Sato laughed along with them.

"Yes, and woman in service of Japan today, such as the three men we honoured 
today, fight in the service of the Japanese people. As such the Ministry of 
Defense will be announcing the government's plans to donate 1.1 billion yen 
(10 million USD) to expand Yasukuni's grounds and build a new shrine to 
honour the spirits of those who have fallen in the service of the Japanese 
people."

Amano nodded and Akira turned to his competition from the Daily Yomuri, Ryu 
Oe.

"Does that mean Yasukuni will be a publicly funded facility again?"

Sato shook his head. "We will be contributing a small amount to help with 
the maintenance of the new shrine as a national landmark; however, the 
shrine will remain a private religious institution, in keeping with the 
constitution's division of religious and state matters."

"Can I get a follow up?" Oe asked.

"Sure, just be at the Defense Ministry at three today," Sato joked. "Thank 
you all."

With that Sato left for the sanctuary of his car.

Actions:

1>	Donate 10 million USD to Yasukuni shrine to expand the grounds and build 
a new shrine to honour the war dead of JSDF.
2>	The new shrine will be for those men and women, military or civilian who 
have died in an active military theatre in the service of the people of 
Japan.