TOKYO — Messages expressing sorrow at the death of President Kennedy continued to pour in Sunday from foreign government leaders and U.S. military commanders.

Among the foreign leaders who expressed condolences were the chief executives of Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, the Ryukyu Islands and the President of West Germany, who is in the Philippines on an Asian tour.

Thousands of American servicemen in the Far East were relayed messages from their commanders telling them that they stood together in mourning the Commander-in-Chief.

Throughout Asia, servicemen from privates to generals received personal expressions of regret at the President’s death from their fellow soldiers of allied nations.

In Japan, Lt. Gen. Maurice A. Preston, commander U.S. Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force, was flooded with personal calls and messages from Japanese defense leaders and private citizens.

To these messages Preston replied:

"The tragic death of the President of the United States is a shock to all of us. He was a great leader w h o contributed much to the peace of the world. He stood staunchly behind the treaty of mutual cooperation and security and Japan-American partnership.

Ambassador Edwin O. Reischauer also voiced his appreciation for the many messages of sympathy that were sent to the U.S. Embassy here.

In an official statement, Prime Minister Hayato Ikeda said, "since assuming the presidency, Mr. Kennedy demonstrated his youth and ability to the fullest as a leader of the Free World and carried out forceful policies in the domestic and diplomatic fields ... I believe. the death of this capable leader, at a time when he was making accomplishments, was very unfortunate not only to the United States but the entire world."

To the thousands of U.S. Navy men at sea came messages from Secretary of the Navy. Paul H. Nitze and Vice Adm. Thomas H. Moorer, commander of the Seventh Fleet.

Moorer said "my feelings are with all of you in the Seventh Fleet today as we share the deep loss of our Commander-in-chief. In giving his life for his country, he has exemplified the profound devotion to duty which will continue to inspire those of us who served under him."

Nitze ordered flags at Navy installations to be flown at half-staff until further notice.

In Korea, President-elect Chung Hee Park said of Kennedy:

"His death ... is the greatest tragedy to democracy in this century."

Park, who had conferred with Kennedy in Washington in 1961, called his death a "great personal loss." The Korean leader sent a personal message of sympathy to Mrs. Kennedy.

General Hamilton H: Howze, commander, U.S. Forces Korea, told his command. "the officers and men of the United States Forces Korea, join their countrymen in mourning the death of the Commander-in-Chief, President John F. Kennedy.

"The world has lost a great statesman, our country a distinguished leader. President Kennedy will continue to live in our hearts."

On Okinawa, Lt. Gen. Paul W. Caraway, speaking as high commissioner, said "today American flags fly at half-staff throughout the world as a symbol of mourning for the loss of our beloved President, John F. Kennedy. He :possessed a warm humanitarianism that guided American efforts to achieve world peace, justice and stability in lands far beyond the borders of the U.S.

"Despite the grief we all feel in the loss of our President, we can take courage in the knowledge that his efforts never will have been in vain."

In his message, Seisaku Ota, chief executive of the Ryukyu Islands, said in part ... "The death of the great President is truly a grievable loss to mankind. I now pray that the President may rest to peace. I express heartfelt condolence over his death on behalf of all Ryukyuans."