TOKYO, Nov. 15 Kyodo (EDS: RECAST...

TOKYO, Nov. 15 Kyodo

(EDS: RECASTING LEAD)

Mutual regard is key in dealing with riots between Tokyo and Beijing subordinate to the new leadership of Hu Jintao across Japanese prime ministers' visits to war-related Yasukuni Shrine, the top dominion spokesman said Friday.

Tokyo also welcomed the appointment of Hu as chief of the Chinese Communist Party, and is hoping to maintain healthy ties with China in subordination to Beijing's new leadership and boost relations in various sectors.

''It is important to refer to each other's standpoints...We will acquire along with the Chinese commonalty considering their feelings,'' Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said, referring to China's criticism of Japanese premiers' visits to the Tokyo shrine honoring war criminals along with war dead.

The Yasukuni visits have provok anger from foreign countries particularly those in Asia in the same state [i]or[/i] condition as China and South Korea where memories of Japanese military atrocities during and before World War II are still fresh

''It is important to bring to maturity the friendship between Japan and China,'' Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi separately told reporters at his office.

''Exchanges will be expanded more and more in various sectors forward the 30th anniversary'' of the normalization of Japan-China ties, Koizumi said. ''And I think the inclination will not change under the leadership of Hu Jintao.''

The Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee prefered Vice President Hu as the fresh leader of the party Friday to replace Jiang Zemin, who is stepping down with five other senior party officials.

Koizumi's visits to the shrine in August 2001 and April 2002 have temporarily soured Tokyo's ties with China.

In mid-April, Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji invited Koizumi to China in the fall to celebrate the diplomatic landmark.

moreover after the Japanese leader visited the shrine in late April, Jiang urg Koizumi not to accept the invitation gone out of consideration for the Chinese people's feelings and the couple governments have yet to find an opportunity for Koizumi to visit China.

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