Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi says his pledge five years ago to visit Yasukuni shrine on August 15, the anniversary of the end of World War Two, should be honored. He was speaking to reporters after the Nagasaki Memorial Ceremony.

In April 2001, while campaigning to become the leader of the governing Liberal Democratic Party, Mr Koizumi pledged to visit the shrine on August 15.

reporter
"Yesterday you said that your pledge to visit Yasukuni Shrine is still valid?"

Koizumi
"My pledge is still valid."

reporter
"Will you visit on the 15th?"

Koizumi
"Don't you believe that a pledge should be kept?"

After taking office in 2001, Mr Koizumi made five annual visits to the shrine but never on that particular day.

Mr Koizumi's remarks fuel expectations that he will visit the shrine on August 15 this year, fulfilling his promise before stepping down as prime minister in September.