Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has donated a ritual offering to a controversial war shrine, Kyodo and Jiji Press news agencies reported Thursday.

Two of Abe's ministers visited Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine earlier Thursday but the premier was expected to stay away from the site, which neighbours China and South Korea see as a painful reminder of Japan's imperialist past.

Dozens of lawmakers are expected to visit the site to mark the anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. (AFP)