Some more time required to mend Japan-China ties: Sengoku

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan wants to repair diplomatic relations with China, but it is likely that "some more time" will be required to improve them dramatically as the two countries need to be sensitive to domestic public opinions, the top Japanese government spokesman said Monday.

"Japan-China ties are extremely important. So we will aim to repair and improve them," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku said at a news conference. "But both sides have positions and domestic affairs."

"It will not work if we proceed too quickly," Sengoku said of fence-mending efforts amid strained ties triggered by collisions in September between Japanese and Chinese ships near disputed islands. "Even if it requires a bit more time, we will go step by step in a positive direction."

Regarding Russia, Sengoku showed a cautious stance toward Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's proposal Saturday in Yokohama that the two countries should first focus on economic cooperation, instead of simultaneously addressing issues related to the four islands off Hokkaido which are held by Russia and claimed by Japan.

Sengoku said it would be unrealistic to expect Japan to immediately accept the president's proposal.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku is pictured during a House of Representatives Cabinet Committee meeting on Nov. 12. (Mainichi)

In addition to relations with China, Japan's ties with Russia have been frayed due to territorial issues, stemming from Medvedev's visit to Kunashiri Island, one of the four islands, on Nov. 1. He became the first leader from Russia or the former Soviet Union to visit any of the disputed islands, despite Tokyo's repeated requests not to do so.

Although some difficulties remain in Tokyo's relations with the two fast-growing countries, Sengoku said otherwise Japan's diplomatic ties with many other Asia-Pacific countries, including the United States and South Korea, have improved in recent weeks.

Sengoku made the remarks when he was asked about his views on Japan's diplomatic achievements following Prime Minister Naoto Kan's series of bilateral talks over the weekend with his counterparts on the margins of the summit of the Asia-Pacific Cooperation Economic forum held in Japan.

(Mainichi Japan) November 15, 2010