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Japan names new ambassador to China | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Japan has named a new ambassador to China, weeks after the previous envoy died before he could take up the post. | Japan has named a new ambassador to China, weeks after the previous envoy died before he could take up the post. |
Career diplomat Masato Kitera, 59, will be sent to Beijing next month, local media said. | Career diplomat Masato Kitera, 59, will be sent to Beijing next month, local media said. |
His appointment comes with ties between the two sides severely strained by a row over islands in the East China Sea that both sides claim. | His appointment comes with ties between the two sides severely strained by a row over islands in the East China Sea that both sides claim. |
Shinichi Nishimiya was appointed in to the post in September but then died of a heart attack two days later. | Shinichi Nishimiya was appointed in to the post in September but then died of a heart attack two days later. |
The outgoing envoy, Uichiro Niwa, has been standing in as acting ambassador in the interim. | The outgoing envoy, Uichiro Niwa, has been standing in as acting ambassador in the interim. |
Relations between Tokyo and Beijing have been derailed by the row over islands called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. Japan controls the islands, which Taiwan also claims. | Relations between Tokyo and Beijing have been derailed by the row over islands called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. Japan controls the islands, which Taiwan also claims. |
Japan bought three of the islands from their private Japanese owner in September in what it said was a bid to block a more provocative purchase plan involving the right-wing former Tokyo governor. | Japan bought three of the islands from their private Japanese owner in September in what it said was a bid to block a more provocative purchase plan involving the right-wing former Tokyo governor. |
China has been angered by the move, which also sparked anti-Japan protests in some Chinese cities and hit trade ties. | China has been angered by the move, which also sparked anti-Japan protests in some Chinese cities and hit trade ties. |
Mr Kitera, who joined the Foreign Ministry in 1976 and was previously serving as assistant chief cabinet secretary, is not a Chinese speaker, Kyodo News agency said. | Mr Kitera, who joined the Foreign Ministry in 1976 and was previously serving as assistant chief cabinet secretary, is not a Chinese speaker, Kyodo News agency said. |
He will take up the role as Japan heads into a general election likely to result in a new government. | He will take up the role as Japan heads into a general election likely to result in a new government. |
Shinzo Abe - who last month angered regional neighbours with a visit to the controversial Yaskuni Shrine - leads the party expected to win the most seats. | Shinzo Abe - who last month angered regional neighbours with a visit to the controversial Yaskuni Shrine - leads the party expected to win the most seats. |
The former Tokyo governor, Shintaro Ishihara, has also formed a political party to contest the elections. | The former Tokyo governor, Shintaro Ishihara, has also formed a political party to contest the elections. |
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