The LDP rode on the wave of Koizumi's popularity

Mr Koizumi is now sure of election.

While welcoming the firming up of the present government policy to abandon the proposal of the reform bill to the Diet, at the same time some are worried that Prime Minister Koizumi won't clearly state the bill's withdrawal.

Prime Minister Koizumi said, "There are people who say that, because it's unconstitutional, I should not pray at the Yasukuni Shrine".

Mr Koizumi succeeded Mr Mori as prime minister.