Hatoyama made the remarks during a personal visit to the Nanjing Massacre Museum in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing.

 

　　It's part of Hatoyama's four-day personal visit to China amid Sino-Japanese tensions over the Diaoyu Islands.

 

　　"I have to visit Beijing and Nanjing during this hard time of our relations. I hope Chinese people can understand that Japanese politicians have different opinions towards China. I sincerely wish that Sino-Japanese ties can get back to the past when we cherish communication and cooperation."

 

　　The 66-year-old was the third former Japanese prime minister to visit the memorial.

 

　　Earlier this week, Hatoyama met with China-Japan Friendship Association Chairman Tang Jiaxuan and China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin.