Japan PM skips war shrine

JAPAN: Japan's nationalists were out in force at a war shrine Friday to mark the anniversary of Tokyo's World War II surrender, marching in military garb and shouting diatribes in support of fallen soldiers.

But one key player was missing: the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda stayed far from the crowded grounds of Yasukuni Shrine on Friday, symbolizing the near total disappearance of the nationalist agenda of his predecessors since he took office 11 months ago.

Conservative causes such as amending the pacifist constitution, teaching patriotism in the schools and raising Japan's international profile have moved quietly to the back burner under Fukuda.

Tokyo, Friday, AP