Koizumi quits visiting Yasukuni?

From July 13^th, Yasukuni Shrine starts annual festival called Mitama Matsuri, and Mr. Koizumi has been donated a lantern to this festival ever since he became Prime Minster five years ago. However, visitors found no lanterns bearing his name this year.

Did Mr. Koizumi decide not to visit Yasukuni any more? Or because in order for Japan to pass the UN resolution to sanction North Korea, Tokyo needs China, the timing is just too sensitive?

According to a TBS report, 小泉首相、「靖国」議連を退会, the reason given by Koizumi’s office is that he has quit “Yasukuni Giren” (a group of Japan’s house members who visit Yasukuni Shrine).

July is not August, when August 15^th, the date that Japan declares to be defeated in 1945, weather Mr. Koizumi will visit Yasukuni or not will draw a line for his legacy.