Koizumi remains firm on shrine visit
(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2005-09-05 10:40

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi indicated his firm determination Sunday to continue his controversial annual visits to Yasukuni Shrine, the Japan times reported.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi speaks atop a campaign van in Tokyo September 4, 2005.[Reuters]

There should be no outside influence, referring to China and Japan, on a matter involving his personal desire to pay tribute to the war dead, said Koizumi during a series of TV appearances ahead of the Sept. 11 general election, according to the report.

"He will make an "appropriate" decision on the timing," said the report.

Koizumi, who is also president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, made annual visits to the Tokyo shrine, which honors Class-A war criminals alongside the war dead, since coming to power, angering both China and South Korea.