Nearly three in five Japanese responding to a Kyodo News poll said Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi should not visit war-related Yasukuni Shrine this year, according to results released Saturday.  

Those who gave that answer totaled 57.7 percent, marking an increase of 16.9 percentage points from a survey conducted in December, while those who said he should pay a visit decreased by 16.7 points to 34.3 percent.

Asked about their views on the Japanese government's efforts at improving ties with China 50.8 percent said they do not think sufficient efforts are being made, far outpacing the 11.5 percent who said efforts are adequate.

The nationwide telephone survey was conducted Friday and Saturday on 1,476 people, with 1,016 responding.

It followed Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi canceling a meeting with Koizumi in Tokyo that had been scheduled for last Monday.

The Chinese government said the cancellation was prompted by recent statements by Japanese leaders and media commentary about the shrine, which China sees as a symbol of Japan's militarist past as it honors convicted Class-A World War II war criminals along with Japan's war dead.

(Chinadaily.com.cn via agencies, May 30, 2005)