Nearly three in five Japanese responding to a Kyodo News
poll said Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi should not visit
war-related Yasukuni Shrine this year, according to results
released Saturday.??
Those who gave that answer totaled 57.7 percent, marking an
increase of 16.9 percentage points from a survey conducted in
December, while those who said he should pay a visit decreased by
16.7 points to 34.3 percent.
Asked about their views on the Japanese government's efforts at
improving ties with China 50.8 percent said they do not think
sufficient efforts are being made, far outpacing the 11.5 percent
who said efforts are adequate.
The nationwide telephone survey was conducted Friday and
Saturday on 1,476 people, with 1,016 responding.
It followed Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi canceling a meeting with
Koizumi in Tokyo that had been scheduled for last Monday.
The Chinese government said the cancellation was prompted by
recent statements by Japanese leaders and media commentary about
the shrine, which China sees as a symbol of Japan's militarist past
as it honors convicted Class-A World War II war criminals along
with Japan's war dead.
(Chinadaily.com.cn via agencies, May 30, 2005)