Koizumi

Today, I am Koizumi @ Yasukuni.

I chose to pay my respects to the dead at Yasukuni five days ago on August 15 for a very good reason. Going there on any other day would have been like celebrating New Year on June 1, the Emperor’s Birthday on April 23, or Respect-for-the-Aged Day on November 18. August 15 was the symbolic end of WWII; but, more importantly, it marked the beginning of the new Japan. And that’s what I went to Yasukuni to commemorate.

I have no relatives who fought in the war (or care about any who did), and I know no one (of importance to me) who died during the war. I was born after it had ended. It makes no difference that millions of Japanese died for the motherland occupying those faraway countries, which should have been left to flounder in their primitiveness, anyway. I just can’t see what glory there was in occupying and dying in that semi-barbaric middle kingdom. I see less reason to feel sorry for our soldiers trying to civilize those upstart Koreans. In my view, the only salvation in conquering those lands was that we got to spread Japanese genes to the comfort women, and those not so comfortable with our troops. We were short of women in Japan so seizing weak neighbouring territories for sexual conquest is no more regrettable than past European colonialism.

Yasukuni, hence, symbolizes Japanese superiority in the world. The whole of Japan stands up with me in rejoicing the rise and rise of the Sun over the Land. Those Japanese who oppose my visit to Yasukuni are ignorant of their own country’s status. Foreigners who criticize my annual pilgrimage are jealous and resentful of the fact that my country is far more advanced a society than theirs could ever be.

So you see, I am not the respectful and pious man that I’ve been made out to be. In fact, I’ve never visited the graves of my forefathers. The dead are departed, not so dearly; those who will die, goodbye. The only person, dead or living that I truly worship is Elvis Presley. Now, if there is a God, it is ELVIS.

I was at Elvisukuni earlier this year, and boy was I convinced HE is our salvation.

This is how it all happened “One Night”.

I prayed to HIM to “Love Me Tender” ‘cos I was “In The Ghetto” with a “Hard Headed Woman” who wouldn’t “Surrender” to my “Burning Love”. Contemplating the worse in the “ Heartbreak Hotel” with no one asking me “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” or telling me “Can’t Help Falling In Love” with you and “Loving You” “Too Much”, it was like “A Big Hunk O’ Love” turning into a “Wooden Heart”. I was “All Shook Up” and would even “Surrender” to the “Devil In Disguise” just that I wouldn’t have to go “Crying In The Chapel” again.

ELVIS, I’ve loved you since you showed your divine self in “Jailhouse Rock” with that blessed “Hound Dog”. I’m “Stuck On You” ‘cos you’re “My Good Luck Charm”. “My Wish Came True” with “The Wonder Of You”. You told her “Don’t Be Cruel”, but to accept this “Teddy Bear” “Loving You”. So scratch out the “Return To Sender” on the envelope and rid yourself of “Suspicious Minds”; instead, go “Way Down” and “Wild In The Country” – “That’s Where Your Heartaches Begin” to melt away as you, “Marie, His Latest Flame,” will swear: “I Love You Because” “It’s Now Or Never” to join together as one with ME.

“Viva” my “King Creole”!

However, “Now And Then There’s A Fool Such As I.”