Japan marked the 63rd anniversary of its surrender in World War II (WWII) yesterday with Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda avoiding visiting a shrine for war dead seen by Asian neighbors as a symbol of Tokyo's past militarism.

Former prime ministers Shinzo Abe and Junichiro Koizumi and three current Cabinet ministers were among those who paid their respects at Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo yesterday, domestic media reported.

A cross-party group of over 50 lawmakers also visited the Shinto shrine.