One of America's strongest allies in the war on terror is the middle of a growing legal debate that has major implications for diplomatic relations across Asia.  Two conflicting court decisions in Tokyo and Osaka have pushed Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi repeated visits to a controversial Shinto shrine back into the headlines. It was not immediately clear, however, whether the rulings will prevent the Prime Minister, fresh off a stunning parliamentary election victory a few weeks ago, from visiting the Yasukuni Shrine near Tokyo in the future.  Like millions across the continent, many of my university students here in Shanghai have a strong dislike for the Japanese leader because of his repeated visits to the shrine and inability to 'sincerely' apologize for the country's wartime past.   Reaching a boiling point in late April, thousands of young Chinese hit the streets of major cities to express their anger at Japan, a key trading partner and source of...(Read Full Post)