In Japan, August is a time to remember World War II. Huge gatherings were held Friday in Hiroshima and Monday in Nagasaki to mark the atomic bombings. Then, on the anniversary of Japan's surrender, the late Emperor Hirohito's son will offer his annual prayer for peace.

But at a war shrine just outside the Imperial Palace moat, a battle rages over how to honor those who died in uniform.

Built and supported by the militarist government before the end of World War II in 1945, Yasukuni Shrine was a monument to Japan's war machine, the place to pray for victory and to pay homage to the nation's fallen soldiers.