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 TOKYO (AP) - Its name means "peaceful nation," but the Yasukuni shrine to Japan's war dead generates a lot of rage. Asian neighbors attack it as a promoter of militarism, Japanese have filed a slew of lawsuits against official visits there, and the U.S., Japan's main ally, finds its take on history disturbing.
Now it is becoming an issue in the race to succeed Junichiro Koizumi as prime minister, and the heat level may rise sharply this week if Koizumi follows through on a pledge to pray there next week on Tuesday's anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender.
Protesters marched for a second straight day Saturday to rally against the shrine, demonstrating building emotions ahead of the anniversary.
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