Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has paid another visit to a Tokyo war shrine seen by critics as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.
Monday's visit was Mr. Koizumi's fifth to the war shrine since he became prime minister in April, 2001. The shrine in central Tokyo honors 2.5 million Japanese war dead, including convicted war criminals executed by the Allies after World War Two.
Mr. Koizumi was driven to the shrine where he bowed in silence without entering and made a donation before leaving.
China, South Korea and other victims of Japanese aggression have protested the visits saying they pay homage to Japan's wartime past.
Mr. Koizumi has said that during his visits to the shrine, he prays for peace and prosperity in Japan.