Japanese Prime Minister Junchiro Koizumi said Tuesday that he would appropriately deal with the visit to the war criminal-related Yasukuni Shrine, which is the biggest hindrance to the realization of summit meeting with Chinese leaders.

"I will make an appropriate decision," the premier told reporters at the first press conference in 2005.

The shrine enshrines Japan's war dead, including war criminals in World War II. Koizumi has visited it four times since he took office in 2001 despite strong protests from China.

The premier said on Saturday he would refrain from visiting the shrine during the New Year period.

(Xinhua News Agency January 4, 2005)