Koizumi Holds Firm On Shrine Visits....

As I expected, Koizumi intends on continuing to visit the Yakasumi Shrine that honors Japan's 2.5 million war dead including 14 class A war criminals.

Koizumi was responding to questions by Katsuya Okada, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan, who accused Koizumi of making comments to fuel nationalism among the public to increase his approval rate.

Apparently, there are domestic political considerations involved. There is apparently broad support in Japan for his continuing to visit the shrine.

Some shrine history here. China's juvenile response here.