For Mindy Kotler reading, I made note of three major discussion points:
1) Based on the political baggage behind the Yasukuni shrine, could this shrine be compared to the current US issue of confederate statues? While Kotler argues that Arlington is different from Yasukuni, are confederate statues also "different"? 2) Kotler explains that in the US Arlington memorial, all the people buried were honorably discharged. She explains that Yasukuni is filled with war criminals who defied international and Japanese law. I felt that this distinction was important between the two monuments, and provides more context to the Yasukuni shrine controversy.
3) Does Yasukuni serve mostly as a monument to the past, or does the shrine symbolize a rejection of the West?
For the Daiki Shibuichi reading, I also made note of three big ideas:
1) Japanese rightists are defined by their identification to the pre-war Japanese state, as well as their glorification of Japanese imperialism. They feel that admitting to the guilt that the Yasukuni shrine possess will delegitimize the symbols behind it.
2) Does the Yasukuni shrine serve as a reinforcement of Japanese superiority? How does the celebration of this monument affect non-Japanese people residing in Japan?
3) Japanese rightist groups have great influence over politicians. It is estimated that 80% to 95% of rightists are tied to the Yakuza. As a result, politicians are often pressured into making visits to the shrine for their own safety.