Japan to seek damage compensation from China

PanARMENIAN.Net - Japan will seek compensation from China for damages to its diplomatic missions there during protests over disputed islands, Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura has said, according to BBC News.

He told reporters in Tokyo that "this was an issue between the governments".

It comes as China expressed regret over protesters attacking the U.S. ambassador's car in Beijing on Tuesday, Sept 18.

Chinese dissident and artist Ai Weiwei filmed the attack, a copy of which was uploaded on YouTube. Tensions have been high between Japan and China after Japan purchased three of the disputed islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, from a private owner. Both Japan and China, as well as Taiwan, claim the uninhabited but resource-rich islands that are controlled by Japan.

Over the last week anti-Japanese protests in China have forced Japanese businesses to close or scale down operations.

In some cities on Tuesday, Japanese shops were attacked and vandalised on the anniversary of an incident in 1931 which led to Japan's invasion of north-east China. The protests appeared to have diminished on Wednesday.

"Regarding damage to our embassies and consulates, we plan to demand compensation [from China] as it is an issue between the governments," Mr Fujimura is quoted as saying in Tokyo.

He added that any damage to Japanese property in China should be handled under local laws.

Mr Fujimura also said that the Japanese prime minister is planning to send a special envoy to China as part of efforts "to resolve the issue cool-headedly through various diplomatic routes".