Japan PM shuns Yasukuni shrine visit, but 4 ministers go on war anniv.

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Saturday skipped a visit to Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni shrine and sent an offering instead, but Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and three other Cabinet members went there on the 81st anniversary of the end of World War II.

Despite Takaichi, a conservative, staying away from the shrine that honors convicted war criminals along with the war dead, China said it "deplores" and strongly protests the moves. South Korea also expressed regret and protested. Both countries suffered under Japan's wartime aggression.