August 15th 2008: Prime Minister Fukuda not expected to visit Yasukuni

Today is August 15th, the anniversary of Japan’s defeat in the Pacific War, and a day of remembrance for the Japanese who died during the conflict. While some groups will probably be visiting the Yasukuni Shrine today, Prime Minister Fukuda has indicated he will continue his policy of no Yasukuni visits. Reuters has noted that politicians and the public aren’t really focusing on nationalism and the Yasukuni issue this year, preferring to think about economic problems instead.
Tokyo Reporter has noted that extreme leftists will be holding demonstrations against the Emperor at a park near the shrine, a move that will no doubt provoke a response from extreme nationalist groups that like to hang out at the shrine every August 15th.

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