Tokyo to ask Seoul to let court rule on island row

Japan on Friday said it wanted South Korea to go to the International Court of Justice for a ruling on a disputed island chain, as Tokyo looks to get some diplomatic leverage in a damaging row.

The proposal - instantly dismissed by South Korea - would be the first time Tokyo has asked Seoul to go to the ICJ for five decades, and the first since ties with its one-time colony were normalized.

The news came as Japan also said it was reviewing a currency swap deal with South Korea and canceling a high-level visit.