首相・閣僚などによる靖国神社公式参拝中止要請のこと（日本語／英語）

To Mr. Shigeru Ishiba, Prime Minister of Japan

STATEMENT CALLING FOR
DISCONTINUATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS' VISIT TO YASUKUNI SHRINE

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, a milestone in the postwar history of our country. On this momentous occasion, we should once again make profound note of the cruelty of war and the preciousness of life, as well as renew our commitment to the renunciation of war and the realization of world peace.

Every year since the foundation in 1969, we the Federation of Shin Buddhist Denominations have protested consistently against the Prime Minister's and other government officials' visits to the Yasukuni Shrine and called for the discontinuation of such visits.

The Yasukuni Shrine has been playing a central role in the ideology of the State Shint?, which justifies the war efforts embarked upon by the then government in the name of 'holy war' as well as by commemorating those who have lost their lives in these battles as 'war heroes.'

The Constitution of Japan clearly states that "we shall never be visited with the horrors of war through the action of government" (Preamble) and that we shall "aspir[e] sincerely to an international peace" (Article 9). The principles of 'the freedom of religion' and 'the separation of church and state' form the backbone of these provisions. Therefore, the Prime Minister's and other government officials' visits to the Yasukuni Shrine flagrantly violate the spirit of the Constitution. Not only that, their visits can be viewed as a misleadingly positive evaluation of the past war efforts.

Shakyamuni Buddha once said, "Everyone trembles before violence. Everyone fears death. Putting yourself in place of others, do not kill nor cause others to kill." The following is also recorded as his words in a sutra, "When the Buddha Dharma prevails, the land is prosperous and the people live in peace, so there is no need to use soldiers and weapons." Shinran Sh?nin also expressed his dearest wish for peace in a letter saying, "May there be peace in the world, and may the Buddha's teaching spread!"

However, against these venerable teachers' noble aspirations, we the members of the Shin Buddhist communities must admit to our negative history of blindly following the policies of the then Japanese government and voluntarily supporting their war efforts since the Meiji period. Consequently, we have brought tremendous suffering to both the Japanese people as well as those in other countries. With deep reflection on our past, as Nenbutsu followers, we have wholeheartedly listened to the voices of all victims without regard to the distinctions between friend or foe. We then have come to realize that their aspiration for peace is identified with that of the Buddha. In accordance with this understanding, we will continue to join forces with our community members to work toward the realization of world peace through such activities as memorial services for war victims.

On this momentous occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of the war, we would once again like to sincerely request that you deeply realize how problematic the government officials' visits to the Yasukuni Shrine is in the light of the principle of the Constitution and that you immediately discontinue their visits. It is also our earnest request that the government recognize the pursuit of world peace as its bounden duty and single-mindedly work to achieve the goal while keeping reflecting upon the ravages of the war.

August 4, 2025