A Japanese opposition party chief on Monday urged Japan to thaw chilling relations with China and other Asian nations in pursuit of peace and stability in the region.

Japan should improve relations with China and other Asian nations. It is conducive not only to Japan itself but also to peace, stability and prosperity in Asia, said Seiji Maehara, leader of the Democratic Party, Japan's largest opposition party.

Maehara, who is visiting Beijing as guest of the Communist Party of China, made a speech titled "Sino-Japanese relations are the basis for peace and stability of Asia" at a forum of the China Foreign Affairs University.

China and Japan, the two giant Asian neighbors, are largely responsible for peace and stability in East Asia, said Maehara, adding the deterioration of Japan-China relations should not lead to regional instability.

China-Japan relations have been in difficulties due to Japanese leaders' visit to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors the convicted class-A World War II criminals along with the war dead.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who paid the fifth pilgrimage to the war shrine since he took office in 2001, has given more weight to developing relations with the United States, underscoring the importance of maintaining close allies between the two countries.

Koizumi said at a meeting with US President George W. Bush ln Kyoto in November that if the relationship with the United States remains close and intimate,it will be easier for Japan to establish better relationship with Asian neighbors and countries in other parts of the world.

Maehara disagreed with Koizumi's remarks, saying close Japan-US relations could not be an excuse for alienating China, the republic of Korea and other Asian nations.

Maehara said good relations between Japan and the United States and China comply with Japan's own interests and benefit peace and stability in Asia. If Japan doesn't develop friendly relations with its neighbors, it is merely idiotic nonsense to talk about its contribution to world peace and stability.

Maehara said the two countries should increase cooperation in extensive fields, including environmental protection and popularization of clean energy.

Regarding the dispute over East China Sea oil exploration, the Japanese opposition party leader proposed the two countries should deal with the matter in line with the principle of putting aside disputes and joining efforts in common exploitation.

Source: Xinhua