Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori's controversial remark that Japan is "a divine nation centering on the Emperor" reminded me of a group of people I saw at Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, which is dedicated to Japan's war dead. As a veteran who survived the battle of Iwo Jima, I occasionally visit the shrine with relatives of fellow Japanese reserve officers who died in the battle.

On that day, I saw a large group of white-robed men and women carrying rightist signs and banners. I vaguely remember their slogans that called for efforts to "protect Yasukuni Shrine and uphold the national polity" and to "preserve the spirits of fallen heroes." I do not recall seeing signs for Shinto Seiji Renmei (the Association of Shinto Shrines), the political group to whom Mori made his questionable remarks. I was dismayed by the bizarre atmosphere and left quickly.

Mori's statement also made me think of the remarks wartime Prime Minister Hideki Tojo made at Tokyo's Yoyogi drilling ground at a departure ceremony for university and college students who were to go to war. While I was not there to hear the remarks because I had earlier joined the Navy as a reserve officer, the records show Tojo told the students of the "spirit of the divine land." In those days, most Japanese called Japan the "divine nation." Emperor Showa regularly attended the ceremonies held at Yasukuni Shrine, as well those held at the Grand Shrines of Ise.