MichaelDockery.com

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who has been heavily criticized by Japan’s right-wing extremists for refusing to pray at the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, received a severed pinkie finger in the mail at the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters this week.

Yoshihiro Tanjo, 54, was arrested in suspicion of mailing the severed digit, which arrived at LDP headquarters in an envelope. Also found in the envelope were a letter of protest, and a DVD containing scenes of Tanjo cutting off his finger.

Yasukuni Shrine is controversial throughout Asia because of the Class A war criminals from WWII who are enshrined there, along with all other Japanese war dead. In recent years, politicians have paid their respects at the shrine in a nod to the right-wing, despite the growing anger and resentment throughout Asia bred by the visits. In a brave show of independence, Abe declined to visit the shrine this year out in deference to the views of Japan’s Asian neighbors.

Japanese organized crime groups have traditionally had their members ritually cut off their own fingers as a punishment or act of atonement. Recently, right-wing extremists have adopted the ritual as an indication of their resolve.

Michael

via - The Japan Times

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