Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is not likely to visit Yasukuni Shrine during an important Shinto ceremony this spring but instead will dedicate a ritual implement to the controversial Tokyo shrine, which honors the nation's war dead, including Class-A war criminals, government sources indicated Friday.
On Friday, major media outlets reported Abe has decided not to go to Yasukuni during this spring's Reitaisai. The shrine holds two Reitaisai festivals each year, the other in the fall.
A senior government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, didn't deny the reports, indicating Abe is not likely to go to the shrine in Chiyoda Ward this spring.