Any doubt that Japan is living in the present is challenged by Tokyo’s Yakasuni Shrine where Japan’s WWII accomplishments are celebrated in the adjacent shop.
Yakasuni means ‘Pacifying the Nation’ but it could be that its effect is to stymy Japan’s spiritual well being.
Does the denial of shameful history consume energy that could be put to better use – in gestalt terms would closing the circle for Japan release it from 20 years of recession?
