According to Japan's Kyodo News Service, the Chiba District Court on Thursday rejected a damages suit disputing the constitutionality of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo in August 2001. 

Sixty-three plaintiffs filed the lawsuit, arguing the visit was made in his capacity as prime minister, thereby endorsing the Shinto shrine with the state's authority when the Constitution requires separation of state and religion.

Although the court ruled that Koizumi's shrine visit was made in his official capacity, it refrained from ruling on its constitutionality regarding the separation of the state and religion.

Article 20 of the Japanese Constitution prohibits the state and its organs from conducting religious education and any form of religious activities. There is no doubt about Yasukuni's nature as a religious symbol.

In sharp contrast to the verdict by the Chiba District Court, the Fukuoka District Court in southwestern Japan ruled in early April that Koizumi's 2001 shrine visit violated the constitutional principle of the separation of religion and state.

In the first such ruling against Koizumi's annual pilgrimages, the court was quoted as saying "despite strong opposition from within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and ordinary citizens, Koizumi went four times to Yasukuni, which cannot be said to be the best place to honor war dead. This was based on political calculations."

This is a landmark admonishment of Koizumi's visits to the controversial Yasukuni where 2.5 million Japanese war dead -- including 14 Class-A World War II war criminals -- are honored.

Koizumi has maintained that he does not understand why his visits are unconstitutional and has pledged to continue.

Surely he is well aware of the legal and political sensitivity surrounding his visits when he serves as the country's prime minister.

Each of his four visits to the shrine since he assumed Japanese leadership in 2001 has drawn broad indignation and criticism. But the outcry from Asian nations simply does not worry him.

As a career politician, Koizumi should fully understand how his irresponsible action can fray diplomatic relations with Japan's Asian neighbors.

With Japan pursuing a higher profile on the world stage, Koizumi's shrine visits can only alienate the country from its neighbors instead of winning their hearts and support.

(China Daily November 26, 2004)