Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said on Thursday he will try to obtain the understanding of South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun for his controversial visits to a Tokyo shrine for war dead.
Koizumi will hold talks with Roh in Seoul on Monday.
"I'd like to have frank discussions and seek understanding," he told reporters.
South Korea, along with China, has asked Koizumi to stop visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, where convicted WWII war criminals are honored along with other Japanese war dead.
South Korea repeated on Wednesday that Japan must face up to its past if it wants to improve ties.
"Without a resolution of the history issue, reconciliation and cooperation between neighbors will be impossible," said South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon, adding that the Yasukuni visits would be high on the summit agenda.
Koizumi, who last visited the shrine in January 2004, reiterated on Thursday that he would make an "appropriate decision" on future visits.
He said he had fully explained in Japan why he visits the shrine seen by other Asian countries as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.
"I have explained this in my remarks in parliament," he said.
Koizumi has repeatedly said his visits are not intended to glorify militarism but to honor the war dead and pray for peace.
Several former prime ministers and the head of a Japanese veterans group have urged Koizumi to stop going to Yasukuni, saying he should bear in mind the situation with neighboring countries and the repercussions. Surveys show more Japanese voters oppose the visits than support them.
(Chinadaily.com.cn via agencies, June 16, 2005)
