Japan PM Hopeful Avoids War Shrine Visit Amid Political Wrangle

The Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo is dedicated to 2.5 million war dead, mostly Japanese, who have perished in conflicts since the late 19th century (Credit: AFP)

The new head of Japan's ruling party Sanae Takaichi avoided visiting a controversial Tokyo war shrine on Friday, as political wrangling intensifies over her bid to become prime minister.

Takaichi became Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader on October 4 but her aim to become Japan's first woman prime minister was derailed by the collapse of the ruling coalition last week.