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DE RUEHKO #4893 2370930
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P 250930Z AUG 06
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UNCLAS TOKYO 004893 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL JA
SUBJECT: YASUKUNI MUSEUM TO REEXAMINE SOME DISPLAYS 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary.  Yasukuni Shrine's war history museum has 
begun reviewing the way it characterizes U.S. strategy before 
and during World War II, Japanese media reported August 25. 
The shrine's response reflects in part Japanese response to 
growing public criticism from former senior U.S. officials. 
Even conservative political commentator Hisahiko Okazaki, 
former Japanese Ambassador to Thailand, supports the 
reexamination on the grounds that the museum's "shoddy" 
portrayal of history "hurts the dignity" of the shrine.  The 
museum is reexamining, among others, the display entitled, 
"Roosevelt's Great Strategy," which states that President 
Roosevelt decided to enter WWII to stimulate the weak U.S. 
economy.  Even if the museum decides to alter its 
descriptions of U.S. strategy during the War, many other 
controversial exhibits will likely remain in place.  End 
Summary. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Yasukuni Shrine's war history museum has begun 
reviewing the way in which it characterizes U.S. strategy 
during World War II.  According to August 25 media reports, 
changes will be made to the display entitled, "Roosevelt's 
Great Strategy," which states that President Roosevelt 
decided to enter World War II to stimulate the weak U.S. 
economy.  In order to enter the War, "the only option 
available to Roosevelt...was to drive resource-poor Japan 
into a tight corner with a grade embargo to force (Japan) to 
wage war." 
 
A Reaction to Foreign Criticism? 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU) The shrine's decision to reexamine the commentary 
in its displays is likely, in part, a reaction to widespread 
foreign criticism.  For example, some former high-level U.S. 
officials have publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the 
way the museum portrays the U.S. role before and during World 
War II.  Even Former Japanese Ambassador to Thailand Hisahiko 
Okazaki has charged that the museum's "shoddy" view of 
history "hurts the dignity" of Yasukuni Shrine.  Okazaki, a 
conservative political commentator and a close advisor to 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe, pushed for changes to various 
exhibits on display, according to the press.  He publicly 
applauded Yasukuni Shrine's decision in July to embark on a 
serious and conscientious examination of its displays. 
 
Other Controversial Sections Will Likely Remain 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶4.  (SBU) The timeline for implementing changes to the 
commentary is unclear and, even if the museum decides to 
alter its descriptions of U.S. strategy before and during the 
War, many other controversial exhibits will likely remain in 
place.  For example, there has been no mention of whether the 
museum would reconsider its critical stance toward the War 
Crime Tribunal.  It has a large display featuring the sole 
dissenting opinion from Judge Radhabinod Pal and a large 
marble bust of him on display. 
DONOVAN