Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi says he respects China's decision to postpone defense talks with Japan in protest over Mr. Koizumi's visit to a Tokyo war shrine Sunday. 

The Japanese Prime Minister spoke Wednesday, one day after China postponed a planned trip to Beijing by Japan's top defense official and a port call in Japan by a Chinese warship. 

North Korea has also issued a strong protest against Mr. Koizumi's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine. A foreign ministry spokesman Tuesday called Mr. Koizumi's visit a reckless deed that aroused astonishment and wrath. The shrine honors some 2.5 million Japanese war dead, including 14 of the country's leaders in World War II later convicted of war crimes . Earlier this week, Mr. Koizumi said he visited the Yasukuni shrine to express his gratitude for those who sacrificed their lives for their country. 

A previous visit by Mr. Koizumi last year infuriated Asian countries with bitter memories of World War II Japanese occupation. 

Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters. 

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