In a major U-turn, new Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said Friday that neither he nor any of his Cabinet ministers will make official visits to controversial Yasukuni Shrine, reversing his previous position that visits by national leaders should be not be considered problematic.

During his first news conference as prime minister, Noda also said he would try to reduce Japan's reliance on nuclear power, but pledged to restart reactors undergoing regular checks after they pass two-stage stress tests.

"The prime minister and Cabinet ministers will continue the policy of previous Cabinets and refrain from making official visits" to Yasukuni Shrine, Noda said.