Japan to Vow Continued Dialogue with China

Tokyo, March 27 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government will pledge to continue dialogue patiently with China to mend bilateral relations, according to a draft of its 2013 diplomatic blue book to be released early next month. Japan will continue to deal with China in a calm but resolute manner, the draft says, referring to tensions over East China Sea islands called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. The draft asks China to refrain from provocative acts in order not to worsen the situation further, apparently referring to China's use of fire-control radar on a Japanese destroyer in January. The draft repeats Tokyo's insistence that the Senkakus are an inherent part of Japanese territory and that there is no territorial dispute over them. The draft points to China's growing military capabilities and increased maritime activities as a matter of concern for the Asian region and the global community. It also suggests that Japan will promote a mutually beneficial strategic partnership with China. On the disputed Sea of Japan islands called Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea, the draft underscores Japan's unchanged position that they are an integral part of the country. At the same time, it signals Tokyo's readiness to act to mend ties with Seoul, saying Japan will be active in efforts to build future-oriented and multi-layered relations with South Korea. The draft criticizes North Korea's nuclear and missile development programs as a threat to the global community. Japan's security environment is getting increasingly tough, the draft says, citing threats against Japanese lives, property, land, waters and airspace. The draft praises U.S. President Barack Obama's strategic shift toward the Asia-Pacific region and says the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance is growing. As for Russia, which Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to visit late April, the draft says Japan will keep working energetically to solve the bilateral dispute over four northwestern Pacific islands and conclude a peace treaty between the two countries. END