Prime minister Junichiro Koizumi visits Yasukuni Shrine in this file photo from Jan. 1, 2004.

The results come, however, a day after a governing party lawmaker said that Koizumi likely intends to continue worshipping at the Shrine, which honors war dead including convicted war criminals.

The TBS television network said that 61 percent of respondents believe Koizumi should not visit the shrine while in office, against 34 percent who said that he should continue doing what he believes is right.

Hidenao Nakagawa of the Liberal-Democratic Party said May 8 that the leader would likely visit again.

"I think Koizumi will visit the shrine again this year, while carefully considering the timing," Nakagawa said on a TV talk show.

In the TBS poll, the largest percentage of respondents attributed the surge in anti-Japan sentiments in China to Chinese education and its negative portrayal of Japan.

Respondents also cited Japan's own approach to history, wartime atrocities committed by Japan's military and visits to Yasukuni.

The Japan Times Weekly: May 14, 2005
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