Kitera stresses the need to develop stronger economic ties

Japan's new ambassador Masato Kitera, who arrived in Beijing on Tuesday, called himself a "Christmas present".

But this "present" was grimfaced at his farewell party in Tokyo on Thursday.

Shinzo Abe (left), Japan's incoming Prime Minister and leader of Liberal Democratic Party, speaks to the media as he names new LDP party executives at their headquarters in Tokyo on Tuesday. Former Japanese economics minister Banri Kaieda (right) speaks at a meeting of the Democratic Party of Japan in Tokyo on Tuesday, during which the DPJ elected him as its new leader. [Photo/Agencies]

"Though you are going to Beijing at this moment of difficulty, I only expect the best from you," Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said to Kitera.

Kitera told Japan's NHK television on Monday that he will explain to China's senior officials that there is a need to develop warmer economic ties in order to stop political ties from cooling further. He will stress that Japanese corporate activities in China are contributing to the Chinese economy.

Japan's illegal "purchase" of China's Diaoyu Islands has led to boycotts of Japanese products by Chinese people and has sent Japan's exports to China tumbling 14.5 percent year-on-year.

"It is important to boost exchanges in various fields in order to ease the bitter public sentiment against each other," Kitera said.

Not a China hand, Kitera admitted that he was shocked to be informed by Gemba that he would replace Uichiro Niwa as Japan's ambassador to China. Niwa's original replacement, Shinichi Nishimiya, collapsed and died of heart failure near his home in Tokyo two days after his appointment.

Kitera joined the Japanese Foreign Ministry in 1976, but he has never been posted to China. He does not belong to the "China school" of Japanese diplomats, trained to speak Chinese and handle ties with Beijing.

But Kitera said he did his "homework" before going to China.