Japan expressed "heartfelt condolences" on Tuesday over the death Sunday of former South Korean President Kim Young-sam, saying he made significant contributions to the realization of democracy in his country.

Kim, who was in power from 1993 to 1998 as South Korea's first civilian leader after decades of military rule, also advanced friendly and cooperative relations with Japan, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a news conference.

"Receiving the news of the former president's death, our country offers our heartfelt condolences and prays for the soul of the deceased," Suga, the top government spokesman, said.

Suga said Japan will send a government envoy to a state funeral for Kim scheduled for Thursday at the National Assembly in Seoul. But he said the government has yet to decide who will represent Japan at the funeral.

South Korean officials expect that Fukushiro Nukaga, a senior Liberal Democratic Party politician, will attend on behalf of Japan, according to Yonhap News Agency. Nukaga, a former finance minister, currently heads the Japan-South Korea parliamentarians' league.

Kim died Sunday of blood poisoning and acute heart failure. He was 87.