Japan and China failed again to resolve a bilateral trade dispute stemming from Japan's import curbs on three farm products, despite a last-ditch attempt to settle the issue through a ministerial meeting held here on Tuesday.
During a three-hour meeting, Japanese and Chinese ministers were unable to overcome key differences, said Takeo Hiranuma, minister for economy, trade and industry.
"We had a number of points in accord but failed to strike a final agreement on the fundamental point," Hiranuma told reporters after the meeting.
Tsutomu Takebe, minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, who also attended the talks with Chinese trade minister Shi Guangsheng, said the two sides agreed to continue efforts to resolve the issue through dialogue.