Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Wednesday said Japan will make efforts in improving relations with China and South Korea.

He told reporters at his office that Japan considers friendly relations with China and South Korea's friendship as an emphasis in the country's diplomatic affairs.

"It is necessary for Japan to conduct further cooperation with the countries," Koizumi added.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe separately said at a separate press conference Wednesday morning that relations of Japan-China and Japan-South Korea are among the most important bilateral ties of Japan.

Japan is willing to develop cooperation in a wide range of fields with the two countries while building up better bilateral relations with them, the top government spokesman said.

Although Koizumi reiterates importance of friendly relations with China and South Korea, his repeated visits to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo despite of strong protests from China, South Korea and other Asian countries have made the words meaningless.

Koizumi paid his 5th Yasukuni visit on October 17. Since taking office in April 2001, he has visited once a year the shrine which honors 14 Class-A war criminals responsible for Japan's aggression against its Asian neighbors before and during the World War II.

(Xinhua News Agency November 10, 2005)