Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said on January 1, 2005 he will not visit the notorious war-linked Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo during this year's New Year period.

Asked whether he will refrain from visiting the shrine during the New Year season, he told reporters, "Yes."

After Sino-Japanese summit talks last November, Koizumi avoided to give clear "yes" or "no" while being asked about the issue, but expressing that he would make decision properly.

Yasukuni Shrine honors 14 Class-A World War II criminals along with Japanese war dead since the mid-19th century.

Koizumi has paid four visits to the shrine since he took office in 2001, with the latest one on New Year's Day in 2004.

Source: Xinhua