Tokyo ? Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Thursday he sincerely hoped Japan would take substantive steps to make good on its promises to address historical issues between the two countries.

Wen made the remark to a plenary session of the Japanese House of Representatives.

Wen said that while he appreciated the admissions given by the Japanese government and leaders that Japan invaded China, and welcomed their apologies and expressions of remorse, the government should take concrete measures to demonstrate its contrition.

This was taken as a call for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to refrain from visiting Tokyo’s war-related Yasukuni Shrine.

Wen also expressed his willingness to further improve China-Japan relations, but said Japan should exercise caution when dealing with historical matters and issues relating to Taiwan.