"Correctly understanding and handling (World War II in Asia), and facing the future while reflecting on the past, is beneficial to the stable and healthy development of friendly relations between China and Japan," foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan was cited as saying by Xinhua news agency.

"It is also beneficial to the amicable relations between Japan and its other neighbors and conforms with Japan's own interests."

Kong's remark followed a visit by Japanese cabinet members including the trade and farm ministers to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors the nation's war dead, including convicted and executed Class-A war criminals.

"The war of aggression triggered by Japanese militarism caused vast, unprecedented suffering for China and other Asian nations," Kong said, "and the Japanese people themselves also suffered."

WAR.WIRE