Foreign ministers of Japan, China and South Korea agree to ‘calmly follow’ on-going investigations into the sinking of South Korean vessel; Clinton to visit Japan on May 21
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print
  • The foreign ministers of Japan, China and South Korea meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea have agreed that their countries should "calmly follow" the ongoing investigation into the sinking of a South Korean naval vessel in March. Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada however stated that if North Korean involvement in the incident became apparent, Tokyo "would not allow for the holding of the six-party talks".1

    Reports meanwhile noted that PM Hatoyama had likely given up on settling the issue of the relocation of a US Marine base in Okinawa by his self-imposed May 31 deadline in the light of fierce opposition from local residents to moving the base within the prefecture.2 Hatoyama will likely visit Okinawa on May 23 for talks with Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima. It is believed that Hatoyama wants to obtain Mr. Nakaima’s acceptance for a government plan to transfer most functions of the US Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station within the prefecture. His earlier visit to Okinawa on May 4 had failed to win the support of local leaders.3 US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is also likely to visit Japan on May 21.

    Top