Not wanting to annoy China, Japanese Prime Minister Yokio Hatoyama has politely refused to meet with the visiting Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama citing his “tight” schedule.

Hatoyama sent a message to the Dalai Lama through a group of Japanese lawmakers on Sunday saying he is hoping to meet with the Tibetan spiritual leader again, Japanese media reported.

Hatoyama hoped to meet the Dalai Lama this time, but his schedule was tight, Seishu Makino, head of the group of Japanese lawmakers on the Tibetan issue, was quoted as saying.

The Japanese Prime Minister avoided meeting with the Dalai Lama, apparently considering Japanese relations with China, which sees the Buddhist leader as a separatist trying to tear Tibet from Chinese rule. But the message may draw criticism from China, Kyodo news agency reported.

Hatoyama had met the 74-year-old Dalai Lama in November 2007 as secretary general of the Democratic Party of Japan and expressed support for “high autonomy” for Tibet.

However, the Dalai Lama thanked Hatoyama for the message and said he was glad that Hatoyama, with whom he has met several times, has become PM.