The Chinese and South Korean governments intend to accept one visit to Yasukuni Shrine by the next prime minister, but only on condition that no more visits are made during his tenure, informed sources said Saturday.

The two countries have exchanged opinions behind the scenes about taking a "joint stance" on the issue, given that Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, who supports Junichiro Koizumi's visits to the Tokyo shrine, will most likely win the ruling Liberal Democratic Party presidential election in September and become the next prime minister, they said.

South Korea and China have apparently unofficially informed Japanese government and ruling party officials of their intentions, but the sources believe there is little possibility Abe will accept them as he has often expressed his desire to continue paying respects to the war dead.