User:Ramijai/Shinto Directive

Legacy [Draft]
The Directive had a dramatic impact on postwar Japanese policy. Although it was only enforced by the GHQ, many of the changes it made became a part of a revised postwar legal interpretation of separation of religion and state. The only notable reversion, besides the Occupation-era approval of state funerals, was a 1965 Supreme Court decision approving of jichinsai (a ritual to purify the land before construction) and jōtōsai (a flag-raising ritual) for public buildings.

Shinto remains one of the most popular religions in Japan; '''and is tied to nationalism in Japan. Political parties like the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) seek to reinstate Shinto as the state religion. The LDP has passed key initiatives to do so like restoring National Foundation Day and the Reign-Name Law'''. '''Former Prime Ministers Koizumi Junichiro and Nakasone Yasuhiro visited Yasukuni Shrine during their time as Prime Ministers. This upset Chinese and Korean officials who regarded these visits as the Japanese government neglecting its war responsibility. Prime Minister Nakasone discontinued his visits after these criticisms, but Prime Minister Koizumi continued his visits to Yasukuni Shrine. Prime Minister Koizumi stated that foreigners should not influence Japanese domestic affairs. In 2006, Prime Minister Abe Shinzo pushed the revision of the Fundamental Law of Education to promote patriotism in classrooms which was tied to Shintoism. Emperor Akihito has stated that he prefers patriotism to not be coerced.'''

'''The reinstitution of Shinto as a state religion is a source of contention; a prime example is Yasukuni Shrine. Yasukuni Shrine is a Shinto memorial to the war dead of Japan, this includes conscripted non-Japanese soldiers. The enshrinement of the war dead gave meaning to their deaths, creating a national consciousness of community. Yasukuni has come under recent controversy because it enshrined Class-A war criminals. Yasukuni Shrine celebrates soldiers who died in Japan's wars since the Taiwan Expedition of 1874 and the end of the Pacific War in 1945.  Shinto celebrates the dead soldiers as glorious spirits who died for the glory of Japan, this celebration continues today. Soldiers enshrined at Yasukuni are venerated for their sacrifice, which according to Yasukuni was their attempted liberation of Asia from Western imperialism. Yasukuni Shrine does not acknowledge Japan's involvement in the Pacific War as an act of aggression. Yasukuni Shrine is an important symbol of the Shinto religion and their stance has raised concerns among the affected nations of Japan's imperialism during the Pacific War. Shinto is seen as a Japanese essence, the fight to maintain it at the forefront is claimed to be a protection of Japanese culture. The renationalization of Yasukuni Shrine remains an ongoing issue.'''

Comments from Dr. Faison 10.23.2002
This is much improved from the few short sentences you had a week or two ago. What you have here is good, butt could still use a bit more fleshing out with additional sources. I still recommend you look at Dower's Embracing Defeat (there is only about a page that talks about the Shinto Directive, but it is informative if you read it in the context of that section of the book), and another title: Franziska Seraphim's "War memory and Social Politics in Japan". Both of these are available in Bizzell. Additionally you need to do some proof-reading. You have extra commas in a few places. "Neglection" is not a word, so you will want to rephrase that sentence. I would also suggest re-ordering some of the sentences in the part where you talk about Yasukuni Shrine. Tell us what Yasukuni is before you tell us that it "does not acknowledge Japan's involvement in the Pacific War as an act of aggression." Let me know if you have questions or would like to have a zoom meeting before Wednesday.