Japan's Vice FM Arrives in China to Discuss Disputed Islands and Escalating Tensions

Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Chikao Kawai arrived in Beijing on Monday (September 24) on a visit to China in the midst of tensions between the two countries over disputed islands in the East China Sea. The minister's trip comes as Chinese surveillance vessels once again entered what Japan considers its territorial waters near the disputed islands. China on Monday announced that Kawai will discuss the islands dispute issue with his Chinese counterpart. China reiterated it’s blame on Japan for the deteriorating relations between Asia's biggest economies. Three Chinese ships briefly entered what Japan considers its territorial waters near the disputed islands on Monday, prompting an official protest from Tokyo and renewed diplomatic efforts to cool tensions between the rivals. Japanese Prime Minister, Yoshihiko Noda, called for calm as he himself departed to go to New York where he is scheduled to speak to the United Nations general assembly.