TOKYO —

Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura said Friday he will visit Beijing starting Saturday for talks with his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi, and State Councillor Dai Bingguo. In meetings with Yang and Dai on Sunday afternoon, Komura will urge China to speed up investigations into food poisoning cases involving pesticide-tainted dumplings, Foreign Ministry officials said. He plans also to ask for Beijing’s support in pressing North Korea to carry out its promise to reinvestigate its abductions of Japanese nationals in the 1970s and 1980s, the officials said. ‘‘I will convey that we would like to strengthen cooperation on the investigations and if we can go into further detail during the discussions, I would like to do so,’’ Komura said at a morning news conference.

Ten people in Japan fell ill between December and January after eating frozen dumplings made in China. The two countries agreed to a joint investigation but remain apart on the findings, including where the contamination occurred. In early July, China told Japan that food poisoning cases had also occurred in China involving the same type of dumplings that had never left the country—a revelation some believe could mark a turning point in the dispute. ‘‘The fact that (China) gave us information, which is not necessarily consistent with what the Chinese investigative authorities have been claiming until now, shows China’s determination not to be spiteful,’’ Komura said. ‘‘I believe that in order to ensure food safety for the Japanese public, getting to the bottom of the cases is more important than anything,’’ he added.

Kyodo

4 Comments

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  some14some at 12:33 AM JST - 16th August

  ‘‘I believe that in order to ensure food safety for the Japanese public, getting to the bottom of the cases is more important than anything,’’

  Ban food imports from China, if can not, then import raw ingredients and prepare gyoza in Japan.

• 

  OssanULTRA at 01:27 AM JST - 16th August

  "Ban food imports from China, if can not, then import raw ingredients and prepare gyoza in Japan."

  How can they be sure the Chinese raw ingredients aren't toxic?

• 

  imagawa at 07:34 AM JST - 16th August

  "shows China’s determination not to be spiteful,’’

  Is "spiteful" the best translation anybody could come up with?

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  OssanULTRA at 09:12 AM JST - 16th August

  Very undiplomatic. Should have just said that they are being "cooperative".

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