Koizumi and his Yasukuni shrine visits

Oops..he did it again..

I have not taken a stand on how I view on the above issue. There are voices (yes, even my dad's) swimming around me and their differing views and respective logic behind those but I have yet to accept any within myself.

For one, I think perhaps, I still give Koizumi the benefit of the doubt on his annual visits to Yasukuni shrine where all the war criminals such as General Hideki Tojo and the others who perished in the war were enshrined. He says he visits to pay tribute and pray for peace.

As much as I also "suffer" under the hands of some Japanese, having a balanced view is very important. And I think the whole at large is being very harsh towards the Japanese. The Japanese has a very unique culture which even for me, one who works for a traditional Japanese firm isnt able to totally understand that. It takes alot of time to understand and be able to place a judgement on it.

While it may seem as though Koizumi's visit to Yasukuni shrine is paying tribute to Japan's past militarism, I think one has to take a step back and try to really understand what it is and what it means to the Japanese. Of course, I am not saying that it is ok for them to be proud of their past militarism, but all I am saying that we should not be rash and judge them as bad immediately without considering their culture.

Any inputs anyone?