Japanese PM unlikely to visit Yasukuni shrine on August 15 - media

TOKYO (Reuters) - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is unlikely to visit Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, seen in much of Asia as a symbol of Japan's past militarism, on the emotive August 15 anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War Two to avoid upsetting China and South Korea, Japanese media reported on Thursday.

Abe, who cemented his grip on power in an upper house election on Sunday, has taken a tough stance with China in a territorial row over tiny islands. But he has also said that his door is open to dialogue with Beijing and has sought to mend ties with Seoul.