Japan wants to improve ties with China's new leaders
Analysts say reset between nations a long way off due to bitter maritime dispute over Diaoyus
Japan voiced hope for "mutually beneficial" ties with China's new leaders yesterday amid a bitter maritime dispute, but analysts said Beijing's territorial ambitions are unlikely to fade any time soon.
"We really hope that the mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests will be further developed and enhanced with the new leadership" of China, said the foreign ministry's deputy press secretary, Naoko Saiki, in Tokyo.
Japan is embroiled in a territorial spat with Beijing over the Diaoyu, or Senkaku, islands in the East China Sea. Analysts said a reset could be a long way off.
"Even though Xi wants to improve economic ties with Japan - namely 'cool political ties, warm economic ties' - the two countries obviously need a new start in the political arena," said Mitsuyuki Kagami, a China expert at Aichi University.
Norihiro Sasaki, a China expert at the Institute of Developing Economies, said it would be "rational" for Xi to seek something of a new start with Tokyo.
Japan's own imminent political transition - Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is expected today to dissolve parliament for an election on December 16 - could be the key to better ties.