Japan's likely new prime minister Sanae Takaichi may skip visiting a shrine honouring war dead this month to avoid angering Asian neighbours, media reports said.

Past visits by senior politicians to Yasukuni -- which honours even convicted war criminals -- have angered China and South Korea.

The conservative Takaichi, who on Saturday became leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has visited on many occasions, including as a minister.

However, she is now weighing up the impact on diplomatic ties with Beijing and Seoul, the Yomiuri Shimbun, the Asahi Shimbun and other media reported this week, citing unnamed party sources.

She is also mindful of possible criticism that ally the United States could level ahead of President Donald Trump's expected visit to Tokyo later this mo

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