On May 15, 2000, it became a current topic when Yoshiro MORI (Prime Minister at that time) announced 'Japan is county of god with the Emperor as the centre of the country' (please refer to the chapter concerning the announcement of the country of god).
2000年5月15日、森喜朗（当時内閣総理大臣）が「日本は天皇を中心とした神の国」と発言して話題になった（神の国発言を参照）。