专栏｜警惕！日本自卫队的“靖国旧梦”

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the concerning resurgence of militaristic sentiments in Japan, particularly through the activities of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and their connections to the Yasukuni Shrine, which symbolizes Japan's militaristic past [1][2][3][4]. Group 1: Activities and Traditions - A video showing students from the National Defense Medical College participating in a collective visit to Yasukuni Shrine has gone viral, indicating a troubling revival of militaristic traditions [1]. - The National Defense Medical College has a long-standing tradition where students must participate in a "night march" to Yasukuni Shrine at least once during their four years of study [1]. - On significant dates like August 15, the anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II, SDF personnel in uniform are frequently seen visiting Yasukuni Shrine [1]. Group 2: Policy and Regulations - The Japanese Ministry of Defense has internal regulations prohibiting collective visits to shrines by SDF members, but these rules are increasingly ignored [2]. - In January 2024, a senior SDF officer led a group of personnel to Yasukuni Shrine, which was later classified as a "private visit" despite the public nature of the event [2]. - The Yasukuni Shrine's "Yushukan" museum is being promoted as a historical education base for the SDF, further blurring the lines between military training and historical revisionism [2]. Group 3: Educational Content and Historical Narratives - The curriculum at the National Defense Medical College includes materials that reflect the "Yasukuni view of history," distorting Japan's military actions as defensive against Western imperialism [3]. - A former professor criticized the college for inviting speakers who support the justification of Japan's wartime actions, indicating a troubling influence of revisionist history on future military leaders [3]. - In April 2024, an SDF unit publicly referred to World War II as the "Greater East Asia War," showcasing the impact of the "Yasukuni view" on official communications [3]. Group 4: Personnel and Leadership - The appointment of a former SDF officer as the head priest of Yasukuni Shrine marks a significant intertwining of military and religious leadership, with implications for the SDF's ideological direction [3]. - The advisory board of Yasukuni Shrine includes several former high-ranking SDF officials, indicating a deepening relationship between the shrine and the military [3]. Group 5: Broader Implications - Japan's increasing militarization and the rhetoric surrounding national security raise concerns about the potential revival of militaristic ideologies within the SDF [4]. - Statements from SDF officials expressing a readiness to die in battle and the characterization of Yasukuni Shrine as a "spiritual home" reflect a dangerous normalization of militaristic sentiments [4]. - The historical role of Yasukuni Shrine in mobilizing the Japanese populace for war underscores the potential risks of a militarized SDF in the current geopolitical climate [4].