Secular memorial for war dead will be acceptable

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Secular memorial for war dead will be acceptable - JCP

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi on August 17 said constructing a secular national memorial for the war dead will be acceptable.

Ichida made the remark in answer to a question at a news conference regarding the controversial subject, saying, "The prime minister and other cabinet ministers must stop visiting the shrine that praises the past Japanese war of aggression as a just war. This is the first thing the government must do."

"And then, based on deep remorse for the war of aggression and on a national consensus, we can agree to the construction of a secular national facility at which many people regardless of religion can pay tribute to the war dead," Ichida said.

- Akahata, August 18, 2009