President Hu Jintao said he hoped to "meet old friends and make new friends" during his upcoming visit to Japan, and that the trip will have the atmosphere of a "warm spring".

Hu, who is scheduled to reach Japan tomorrow and stay until Saturday, made the remarks yesterday during an interview with journalists from 16 Japanese media organizations stationed in Beijing.

"I expect to meet with the Japanese Emperor, exchange in-depth views with Prime Minister Fukuda Yasuo on bilateral relations and other issues of common concern, and have extensive contact with Japanese people from different walks of life," he said.