Hopes wane that Kono can mend ties with China

Hope all you want, but it's all up to China. Doesn't matter who the Japanese FM my be at the time. Even Kono.

You can't mend ties when the two pieces of thread don't meet in the middle.

I don't think China wants to mend ties at all. They'll whine and complain no matter who is appointed

Japan has been mired in a territorial dispute with China over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, a group of uninhabited islets controlled by Japan and claimed by Beijing, which calls the islands Diaoyu.

How can one have a dialogue with China when Tokyo is the only capital in the world that doesn't even know that their is a territorial dispute not only with China but also Japan-friendly Taiwan with regards to those rocks with many names?

Strangely, Abe then confronts Xi about the island disputes in the SCS instead where all parties are trying to solve and where Japan has no claim?

Shinzo even insists on pushing Jin Ping on the WPS issue even when the president of the PH himself already have successful talks with China which effectively diffuse the plan by some powers to make Palawan to another Syria.

It seems Japan is now the only dog on a short leash still barking outside its yard!

Even Kono.

Even Kono? More like "despite Kono" the dude is inept and has never accomplished anything.

These Asian countries just stand around posturing until the get emboldened by US backing. That should arrive soon Kono just bide your time

I like Kono and I hope he does well with a very tricky portfolio.

If Japan can't have a good relationship with China, then Japan has no good PM, as simple as that.

Dango bongAug. 9 11:32 am JSTEven Kono.

Even Kono? More like "despite Kono" the dude is inept and has never accomplished anything.

You really should know who you are talking about before shooting off such comments. Taro Kono is known to be pro-china as was his father. He is also the only J-politician to maintain a Korean website.