NEWS
US, Japanese officials hold discussion on islands row
TOKYO - Tokyo on Monday briefed Washington on its stance in the Diaoyu Islands diplomatic standoff during high-level talks in Japan's capital as the country's month-long territorial row with China continues.
Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba on Monday met visiting US Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns in Tokyo.
Gemba sought Washington's understanding of Japan's position that no territorial dispute exists over the uninhabited islands, Kyodo News Agency reported.
Burns also said he endorsed the importance of the US-Japan alliance during the talks.
After arriving in Tokyo on Sunday, Burns also met Japanese Defence Minister Satoshi Morimoto and Shinzo Abe, leader of Japan's main opposition Liberal Democratic Party and former prime minister.
Abe, who is promising to help his party win the upcoming general election, told Burns that "there is no room for talk" on the Diaoyu Islands, Japan's Jiji Press News Agency reported.
Burns embarked on an eight-day trip on Saturday to Japan, South Korea, China, Myanmar and India, and the deputy secretary will visit China on Tuesday and Wednesday.
