태평양 전쟁 일본인 A급 전범들이 합사된 도쿄 야스쿠니(靖國) 신사 경내에서 23일 폭발물이 터지는 사고가 발생했다.
파리 연쇄 테러로 국제사회에서 테러에 대한 경각심이 고조된 가운데 일본 경찰은 신사를 노린 '게릴라성' 테러 행위일 가능성이 있다고 보고 조사를 벌이고 있다.
도쿄 소방청 등에 의하면, 이날 오전 10시께 일본 도쿄 지요다(千代田)구 소재 야스쿠니 신사에서 폭발음이 들렸다는 신고가 접수됐다고 교도통신과 NHK가 보도했다. 경찰 조사 결과, 폭발 소리가 들린 신사 남문 근처에 있는 남성용 공중 화장실 천장과 내벽이 일부 불에 탔으며, 천장에는 가로·세로 각 30㎝ 길이의 구멍이 생겼다. 부상자는 없었다.
또 현장에서는 건전지, 전선(리드선) 등과 함께 터지지 않은 폭발물로 의심되는 물체가 발견돼 폭발물 처리반이 출동했다.
 |
(Yonhap) |
<관련 영문 기사>
Blast at Japan’s controversial Yasukuni shrine, no injuries
Japanese media are reporting an explosion Monday in a public restroom at Tokyo’s Yasukuni shrine, which honors Japan’s war dead, including those executed as war criminals. No one was injured.
Yasukuni has been the target of criticism from Japan’s neighbors, including China and South Korea, which suffered World War II atrocities and aggression.
Fire fighters received a call to put out a small fire Monday morning that damaged the ceiling and walls of the restroom, said an official at the Tokyo Fire Department who spoke on condition of anonymity. But the fire was out by the time they arrived. He declined to elaborate.
It was unclear what caused the explosion. TBS TV news said police suspect foul play, and batteries and wirings that may be part of an explosive device were found. Police will be reviewing footage on security cameras for clues on who might be behind the explosion, TBS said.
Tokyo metropolitan police declined comment as the case was still under investigation. The person in charge of media at Yasukuni was out and not immediately available for comment.
The shrine is a focal point for lingering tensions with Japan’s neighbors over the country’s aggression before and during World War II. Some Japanese lawmakers have insisted on making official visits in the name of patriotism, while other lawmakers say such visits glorify Japan’s historical mistakes.
Emperor Akihito has not visited Yasukuni. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has also avoided making official visits over the last two years.
While views on the shrine have also divided the Japanese public, it holds emotional significance for many because during the war soldiers promised each other they would reunite at Yasukuni if they died.
Many families and tourists visit Yasukuni, and Monday was a national holiday.
The shrine has a grandiose gate, giant cherry trees, flocks of pigeons and a museum that pays homage to those who died in Japan’s wars, including kamikaze pilots. (AFP)
