A visit by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to contentious Yasukuni Shrine on surrender day Aug. 15 will taint his Cabinet, so he should reconsider any plans for making the trip, former Liberal Democratic Party Vice President Taku Yamasaki said Monday.
"I cannot approve (of Koizumi's) visit to Yasukuni Shrine on Aug. 15," Yamasaki, a former top aide to Koizumi, said at a news conference. "I realize Koizumi wants to visit Yasukuni on the 15th, to follow through with his public commitment, but he should not take such a visit lightly, as there will be repercussions if he goes."
Yamasaki declined to say if he will run in the Sept. 20 LDP presidential race, whose winner is effectively assured the post of prime minister.