Japanese Prime Minister Noda admits 'miscalculation' over Diaoyus
Noda says Beijing's reaction to Tokyo's deal to buy islands was more intense than he expected as he softens country's tone in diplomatic row
Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has admitted he miscalculated Beijing's reaction to his government's purchase of the Diaoyu Islands.
He pledged to "expand communications" in the dispute over the islands, known by the Japanese as the Senkakus.
Noda's remarks in an interview with Japan's Asahi TV on Wednesday were seen by analysts as a softening of his approach after visits to both countries by US defence chief Leon Panetta.
Noda said: "I understand the nationalisation would bring reactions and tensions to some extent, but the scale is broader than expected."
Mainland analysts said Japan had come under pressure to moderate its tone, at least temporarily, after Panetta's visit last weekend. Lian Degui, a Japanese affairs expert at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, said: "Noda appears to have softened the tone, probably because Panetta has exerted pressure on him not to further provoke tensions."
But Premier Wen Jiabao said in Brussels yesterday that Beijing would not make any concessions. He told members of Belgium's Chinese community: "The Diaoyu Islands [purchase] is a farce directed by Japan … on important issues like territorial sovereignty, we should stand firm and not make any concession."
Mainland observers said planned talks between Noda's envoy and Chinese officials were unlikely to lead to any breakthrough because the Japanese government would not backtrack on its decision to buy the islands.