More Japanese people believe Junichiro Koizumi, prime minister, should continue to visit the controversial Yasukuni shrine in defiance of Chinese pressure than believe he should stop, in a poll that reflects Japan’s hardening attitude towards China.

According to a survey by NHK, the public broadcaster, 46 per cent of the Japanese public think Mr Koizumi should not stop his visits to Yasukuni, considered a symbol of Japanese nationalism by many people in the region, while 38 per cent say he should.