Japan to seek better relations with China

Japan’s Vice Foreign Minister is preparing to visit his counterpart in China, in a move designed to ease tensions between the countries. A meeting between Akitaka Saiki and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui may take place as early as this week, according to Japan’s (NHK WORLD) website. Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that he wants foreign ministers and other senior officials from the countries to meet. He added that he wants the talks to take place without any conditions, and at the earliest possible time. Relations between Japan and China have soured over a range of issues. Recently there has been a flare-up of tensions over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. Japan controls the islands, but China claims them.