Japan could accept China's offer to jointly conduct oil and gas exploration in the East China Sea, but only if Beijing provides details of its ongoing gas projects in the disputed waters and halts its operations there, the industry minister said Friday.
"We cannot accept such an offer under the current circumstances, but we will not totally exclude the possibility when our conditions are met," Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Nakagawa told a news conference.
Cui Tiankai, head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Asian affairs department, told reporters Thursday it was unfortunate that Japan has been reluctant to participate in China's joint development plan.