Japan and China started three-day fisheries talks August 6 in Tokyo in a bid to conclude a new pact between the two countries, Foreign Ministry officials said.
Differences are narrowing between the two countries and they are reportedly seeking to conclude the talks in early September when Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto visits China. The two countries have encountered difficulties on the talks because of a territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, known as the Diaoyus in China, but they are reportedly seeking to reach an agreement by shelving the territorial issue.
Japan also has been holding fisheries talks with South Korea that are far more challenging than the talks with China. Japan and South Korea also have a territorial dispute over islets in the Sea of Japan known as Takeshima in Japan and Tok-do in South Korea.