Prime Minister Taro Aso's plan to visit Beijing this month has been postponed until April or later.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura declined comment on media reports that the delay was due to the long-standing territorial dispute, saying, "It is true that the territorial and other disputes are sensitive issues on both sides."
The two governments had reportedly been discussing final arrangements for Aso to visit the Chinese capital for two days from March 28, during which he was to hold talks with President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao.