Despite constitutional restrictions following the “State Shinto” period and then World War Two, Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, has been pushing Shintoism to “play a more prominent role in Japanese society.” Abe has been promotion Shintoism by taking guest to the Ise Shrine and hosting press conferences there. He also took part in a rebuilding ceremony held there every twenty years that highlights the concept of impermanence in Shintoism. Though these shrines are of great religious and historic significance, such as the Ise Grand Shrine which is around 2000 year old, the Japanese government involvement walks a fine line. Abe’s visit to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, “which honors Japan’s war dead, including World War II leaders convicted as Class A war criminals,” sparked controversy. In addition, Christians in Japan reacted with criticism by saying that Abe “violated a constitutional ban on the government favoring any particular religion.” This presents a challenge to preserving the historic
Despite constitutional restrictions following the “State Shinto” period and then World War Two, Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, has been pushing Shintoism to “play a more prominent role in Japanese society.” Abe has been promotion Shintoism by taking guest to the Ise Shrine and hosting press conferences there. He also took part in a rebuilding ceremony held there every twenty years that highlights the concept of impermanence in Shintoism. Though these shrines are of great religious and historic significance, such as the Ise Grand Shrine which is around 2000 year old, the Japanese government involvement walks a fine line. Abe’s visit to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, “which honors Japan’s war dead, including World War II leaders convicted as Class A war criminals,” sparked controversy. In addition, Christians in Japan reacted with criticism by saying that Abe “violated a constitutional ban on the government favoring any particular religion.” This presents a challenge to preserving the historic