Japan is planning to promote online exchanges with China in cultural, scientific and other fields next year when the two countries commemorate the 30th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties, according to Foreign Ministry officials.

The plans were discussed at the inaugural meeting of the Japanese executive committee for the commemorative events, held Thursday at the ministry to consider what type of activities should be held in Japan.

Sony Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Nobuyuki Idei, who chairs the committee, told the meeting, "I believe it is very meaningful to hold events and exchange activities to deepen mutual understanding . . . at a time when the existence of China has become important to Japanese people in various ways."

Idei suggested using the Internet and other communications forms to promote cultural, youth, trade, and science and technology exchanges.

"Taking advantage of this opportunity, we want to place value on the past traditions of both Japan and China and build a new Japan-China relationship for younger generations," Idei told the committee.

Following the meeting, he paid a call on Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to report he is planning commemorative events with a focus on youth exchanges, government officials said.

Koizumi reportedly said he would like to see performances by young music groups as part of the project.

The meeting of Japan's committee, which comprises business executives from the private sector and representatives from academia and the media, was also attended by officials of the Foreign and other ministries as well as observers from the Chinese Embassy.

Japan and China agreed in October 2000 to hold the anniversary events in both nations when then Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori met with Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji in Tokyo.

Preparations were delayed by bilateral rows earlier this year, which also dampened government negotiations.

Ties suffered when the Japanese government in April approved school history textbooks that critics say whitewash Japan's wartime atrocities. Relations deteriorated further when Koizumi visited Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Class-A war criminals along with Japanese war dead, in mid-August.

Tokyo and Beijing normalized ties in September 1972.