Top official visits as Japan refocuses

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi made his anticipated visit to Japan yesterday at a crucial juncture for the Japanese government as it shifts political focus to Asian countries.

It will be the first visit for a top Chinese diplomat to Tokyo since Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's Democratic Party of Japan took over in September.

The foreign minister's visit comes as United States President Barack Obama concludes his Asia tour, during which he stressed engagement and cooperation with Asian nations.