Japan's trade minister Tuesday described China as a "scary country'' as Tokyo pressed Beijing to respond to demands after violent anti-Japanese rallies at the weekend.

Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Shoichi Nakagawa said he was worried about the impact on Japanese companies in China, which last year surpassed the United States as Japan's top commercial partner.

``As I have heard, they are aiming to build a country driven by the market economy, I want [China] to take firm measures. It's a scary country,'' Nakagawa said.

Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura said Japan expects China to respond to Japan's demands for an apology and compensation for the damage in the protests.

``We expect to receive a reply at the earliest,'' Machimura said. He also stressed diplomacy in mending ties between the Asian powers, which have been increasingly at loggerheads in recent months.

``It is important to deepen understanding at the foreign ministers' level,'' Machimura said ahead of his planned visit to Beijing Sunday for talks with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.

Anger has been heightened by Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council and Tokyo's approval last week of a nationalist textbook which China and South Korea says whitewashes Japanese atrocities.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told Beijing Monday that Japan held it responsible for the safety of its residents in China.

``This kind of thing should not happen. I wish the Chinese side would do its utmost to prevent a recurrence of such a thing,'' Koizumi said.

Meanwhile, Premier Wen Jiabao suggested Tuesday that Japan is not ready for a permanent seat on the Security Council, saying, on the last day of a trip to India, Tokyo has to win its neighbors' trust before taking on new responsibilities.

``Only a country that respects history, takes responsibility for history and wins over the trust of peoples in Asia and the world at large can take greater responsibilities in the international community,'' Wen said.

He said recent anti-Japanese protests in China and elsewhere ``target Japan's attempt to become a permanent member'' of the Security Council with power to veto UN actions. He said the protests should prompt ``deep and profound reflections'' by Tokyo.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, ASSOCIATED PRESS