Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's decision Monday to bring forward his controversial visit to Yasukuni Shrine may have saved face for opponents at home and abroad to a certain degree.

But the move may damage his public image as a colorful leader who keeps his word.

As a positive, Koizumi's decision to avoid making his visit to the Shinto shrine on today's anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender prevented a critical rift between the prime minister and a key coalition partner of his Liberal Democratic Party.