Ruled Not Religious : Japanese War Monuments OKd by Court
A court verdict allowing city governments to keep war monuments could lead to new problems for the Yasukuni Shrine here, a Shinto memorial to Japan’s war dead including a number of war criminals from World War II, Japanese newspapers said Friday.
The Osaka High Court on Thursday ruled that such city-funded shrines are not religious facilities and therefore do not violate the constitution’s provisions on separation of church and state.
China, South Korea and other East Asian countries have criticized visits by Japanese officials to the Yasukuni Shrine.
“Many constitutional experts believe the decision may stimulate official visits to the Yasukuni Shrine now suspended in view of diplomatic considerations,” the Yomiuri newspaper said.
The Mainichi newspaper also criticized the verdict, saying it could lead to national protection for the Yasukuni Shrine.
The Osaka court’s decision is subject to an appeal in the Supreme Court.
Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone officially visited the Yasukuni Shrine in 1985 but has canceled all visits since due to the storm of protests.
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