Venerated by militarists and marinated in over a century of militarism and war, Yasukuni Shrine may well be Japan's least friendly venue for a demonstration by pacifists.
Still, every Aug. 15, a motley crew of Christians, radicals and antiwar campaigners come here to stage what has traditionally been a token protest against visits to the shrine by prominent politicians.
The activists range in age from 19 to 90 and seldom carry anything more dangerous than white flags and placards, which is why they were stunned last month when the police waded in and arrested six of their members.