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Associated Press

Japan has appointed diplomat Yutaka Yokoi as its ambassador to China.
The 61-year-old is a so-called “China school” diplomat, who underwent foreign language training in China.
Yokoi, who is currently Japan’s envoy in Turkey, is the first ambassador appointed since 2010 to have undergone diplomatic training with a specific focus on the relationship with Beijing.
Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said that Yokoi was the “right man in the right place”.
He also noted that Yokoi was an expert on Chinese affairs and had ample experience.
“The relationship between Japan and China is one of the most important among our neighbours,’ Kishida told reporters.
Japanese and Chinese ruling parties resume talks after six-year hiatus
“The two countries share an important responsibility to ensure international peace and security. The appointment of an expert on Chinese matters comes based on that view.”
His appointment comes at a time when China and Japan are at odds over disputed islands in the South and East China Seas, including the uninhabited Senkaku Islands, which China claims as the Diaoyus.
Relations between the nations have shown signs of improvement since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and China’s President Xi Jinping held a brief meeting in November 2014.
Yokoi, who will reportedly replace the current ambassador Masato Kitera within 30 days, joined the foreign ministry in 1979.
G7 showdown looms as China pressures Japan to leave South China Sea off the agenda
He became Japan’s ambassador to Turkey in August 2013 and was previously consul general in Shanghai and minister at the Japanese embassy in Beijing.
Zhou Yongsheng, a Japan expert at China Foreign Affairs University, said the Chinese public should not have high hopes about the candidate, even if he was viewed as a China expert.
“An ambassador will not bring forward major changes to Sino-Japan ties as he is here to execute tasks instead of formulating foreign policy with China,” Zhou said.
“Even if he is a Chinese expert he is strictly serving the interest of his nation,” he said, adding that his knowledge about China would not help shape Japan’s foreign policy towards China.
Additional reporting by Mimi Lau


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China-Japan relations

Japan appoints ‘China school’ diplomat as next Beijing ambassador 

Japanese diplomat Yutaka Yokoi, 61, his nation’s new ambassador to China, studied Putonghua on the mainland. Photo: Kyodo

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) shakes hands with China's President Xi Jinping at the start of their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Asian-African Conference in Jakarta, in this photo released by Kyodo April 22, 2015. Mandatory credit REUTERS/Kyodo ATTENTION EDITORS - FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. MANDATORY CREDIT. JAPAN OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN JAPAN. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

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Appointment comes as China and Japan are at odds over disputed islands in the South and East China Seas, including the uninhabited Senkaku Islands


Japan appoints ‘China school’ diplomat as next Beijing ambassador

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Appointment comes as China and Japan are at odds over disputed islands in the South and East China Seas, including the uninhabited Senkaku Islands

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}.css-jfmysa{display:inline;word-break:break-word;}.css-1ankfgb{cursor:pointer;display:inline;word-break:break-word;}Japanese and Chinese ruling parties resume talks after six-year hiatus

Appointment comes as China and Japan are at odds over disputed islands in the South and East China Seas, including the uninhabited Senkaku Islands

Japanese and Chinese ruling parties resume talks after six-year hiatus