China has urged Japanese leaders to thoroughly reflect on their history of invading neighboring countries and to refrain from hurting the feelings of peoples who suffered from Japan's aggression.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan made the remarks in a statement posted on the ministry's website on Wednesday.

The statement was issued after Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said he would continue his visits to the Yasukuni Shrine despite a Japanese court's ruling that such visits are unconstitutional.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Fukuoka District Court ruled that Koizumi had violated the constitutional separation of state and religion by visiting the shrine in 2001. It was the first ruling of its kind.

Upon receiving the news of the court ruling, Koizumi was quoted as saying that he would continue his visits to the shrine that honors 2.5 million war dead, including 14 convicted Class-A war criminals.

In Seoul, the Foreign Ministry reiterated its opposition to Koizumi's Yasukuni visits. In a statement, the ministry said a correct perception of history is the cornerstone for future-oriented development of the Korea-Japan relationship.