TOKYO (AP) – Veterans, relatives of war dead and lawmakers crowded a controversial Tokyo war shrine Wednesday as Japan marked the 62nd anniversary of its World War II surrender. But with political sensitivities higher than ever, Prime Minister Abe and his Cabinet stayed away.

Chief Cabinet spokesman Yasuhisa Shiozaki said none of Mr, Abe’s 16-member Cabinet planned to visit the shrine. It would be the first time in at least 20 years that no Cabinet member had gone on the surrender anniversary, although 46 members of parliament did attend, down from 62 last year.

“Each minister made the decision on their own not to go,” Mr. Shiozaki said.

Later Wednesday, Mr. Abe was to speak at a ceremony with Emperor Akihito at the Budokan arena, which is near Yasukuni, in honor of Japan’s war dead.

Mr. Abe, who came to power in September on a strongly nationalist platform, has argued it is natural for a head of state to pay homage to Japan’s fallen soldiers. However, reeling from a huge setback at last month’s parliamentary elections, Mr.. Abe has toned down his hard-line rhetoric.

Yasukuni, a Shinto shrine established in 1869, is vilified by critics for its role in shaping Japan’s war ideology in the 1930s and ’40s, and promoting Tokyo’s imperialist expansion in Asia.

The shrine also deifies war criminals executed after World War II, such as wartime leader Hideki Tojo. It hosts a museum that depicts Japan’s conquests as a crusade against Western colonialism.

Mr. Abe’s predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi, made repeated visits to the shrine – including one on the surrender anniversary last year – and incensed China and South Korea, triggering refusals to hold summits with him. Koizumi paid a visit to Yasukuni early Wednesday.

Mr. Abe regularly prayed at Yasukuni before he became prime minister, but has not gone since.

He has pushed through legislation aimed at amending the country’s pacifist constitution, and has upgraded the Defense Agency to a full ministry – part of efforts to give the Japanese military a larger global role. He has also introduced laws requiring schools to teach patriotism.

Some visitors to the shrine were disappointed Mr. Abe wasn’t there.

“It will be a disgrace if no ministers turn up. Koizumi came despite the pressures not to,” said Hisashi Kimura, 38, who says he comes every year to pray on Aug. 15. “I would have expected the same from Abe.”