NO FANFARE

Analysts said Abe's decision to go without the media fanfare that has accompanied Koizumi's visits appeared to be an attempt to maintain his position that the war dead should be honoured, but to avoid an overt clash with Beijing and Seoul.

Koizumi pledged to visit Yasukuni on August 15 each year as part of his successful campaign to become prime minister five years ago, but has so far avoided going on that date.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe listens to questions during a news conference at Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's official residence in Tokyo August 4, 2006. Abe, front-runner to become Japan's next prime minister, made a pilgrimage earlier this year to a Tokyo war shrine that is seen by critics as a symbol of the country's past militarism, media reports said on Friday. [Reuters]

Speculation is rife that the prime minister will do so this year as it would be his last chance before leaving office.

The Yasukuni issue has become a focal point of the race to succeed Koizumi as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which will pick its new leader in a September 20 election.

Abe's dark horse rival, Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki, has said he would not make such pilgrimages if elected.

Opinion polls have shown that while a majority of Japanese voters oppose visits to the shrine by the nation's top leader, backing for the pilgrimages is higher among LDP supporters.

"There are many opinions, but our view is that we should not ignore those who went to war to fight and die for the country," said Sanae Gunji, a 72-year-old real estate broker who attended an LDP convention for Tokyo members last week.

Japanese business leaders, worried about the chilling impact on vital economic ties with China, have urged Koizumi to halt his visits, and many want the next prime minister to refrain as well.

"I'm against anyone who would visit the shrine as prime minister," said Hisashi Owada, 25, who works in the financial sector, as he took a break in a small park in Tokyo.

"From now on, Japan can't just go with the United States alone. Relations with China are really important."

The head of the LDP is virtually guaranteed the prime minister's seat as the party holds a majority in parliament's powerful lower house.