Opposition grows to Japanese PM's war shrine visit

Japan’s rising sun flag flew at the Yasukuni war shrine and tourists thronged today in anticipation of the event of the year – a possible pilgrimage by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

Koizumi, whose previous five visits to the shrine as prime minister have outraged China and South Korea, hinted strongly last week that he would pray there again tomorrow – the anniversary of Japan's Second World War surrender - despite mounting opposition.