Japan PM vows to steer clear of Yasukuni Shrine

BEIJING - Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan vowed on Tuesday he would not visit the Yasukuni Shrine honoring war dead while in office, indicating no change in the party's strategy of maintaining good relations with Beijing, despite the power shift.

"I think it is a problem for the prime minister or cabinet ministers to officially pay their respects at the Yasukuni Shrine because Class A war criminals are honored there," said Kan, who took power last week.

"I do not plan to pay my respects there while in office," he told parliament.