Dozens of lawmakers in the Liberal Democratic Party launched a study group Tuesday out of concern over Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's controversial visits to Yasukuni Shrine.
The group was formed to counter another LDP body recently launched to support Koizumi's Yasukuni visits, the new grouping's leader, Takeshi Noda, said.
The move is apparently linked to the simmering race over who will succeed Koizumi, who plans to leave office in September next year.