China and South Korea find the Yasukuni shrine symbolically offensive.

TOKYO -- Public opinion is divided over Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to a war-linked Tokyo shrine, with 45% supporting the move and 43% objecting, a recent Nikkei poll finds.

Abe's trip to the Yasukuni Shrine at the end of December rapidly chilled Japan's already-strained relations with China and South Korea and drew a strong rebuke from the international community. Asked whether Abe should make future visits, 47% said he should not, exceeding the 39% who want him to do so.

At 55%, approval of Abe's diplomatic performance remains solid. Yet the figure is down from the 62% marked in February of last year. Among independent voters, disapproval tops approval 43% to 33%.

Among those who do not support the Abe cabinet, 41% cited the fact that it is a Liberal Democratic Party-dominated government, while 36% said they do not like its policies. Those seeing the cabinet as lacking in international savvy have grown to 28% from the previous survey's 10%.

On the national security front, relocating the Futenma air station in Okinawa has turned into a major headache for the government. In the crucial mayoral election in the city of Nago, the site picked to host the new airfield, the incumbent opposing the move won re-election. While the government plans to move ahead with the transfer, local resistance is strong.

Asked about the transfer, 61% said the matter should be handled with caution, outnumbering the 30% wanting to see the move take place as planned. Even among LDP supporters, 51% urged prudence.

(Nikkei)