Japan govt, media groups concerned as shrine film pulled

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

TOKYO (AFP) — A controversial documentary on a Tokyo war shrine looks unlikely to be screened in Japan amid pressure from right-wingers, prompting the government and media groups to cry foul on Tuesday.

The local production office of Chinese director Li Ying said the decision by three cinemas in Tokyo and one in western Osaka to cancel planned screenings of "Yasukuni" meant that it might not be shown at all in Japan.

"We have to review the entire plan and start from scratch. Movies are usually premiered from major cities like Tokyo to regional cities," said a staff member who asked not to be named.

The documentary looks at the controversy surrounding the Yasukuni shrine, which was built in 1869 and now honours 2.5 million war dead -- including convicted war...