BEIJING

Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono told his Chinese counterpart, Wei Fenghe, on Wednesday that Tokyo is "strongly concerned" about frequent activities by Chinese government ships and military aircraft around the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

"It's important to solve problems one by one," Kono said at a meeting in Beijing with the Chinese minister of national defense, who doubles as state councillor. "I hope to see a positive response from the Chinese side," he added.

Kono also urged China to deal with issues related to the islands and other matters ahead of an expected visit to Japan by Chinese President Xi Jinping as state guest next spring. "We need to create a favorable environment, and I want China to make considerable efforts," Kono said.

The planned Japan visit by the Chinese leader has been opposed by some members of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The islands are claimed by China, which calls them Diaoyu.

Kono is the first Japanese defense chief to visit China since the March 2009 trip by then Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada.

Kono and Wei also agreed to seek an early launch of a hotline for preventing accidental clashes between ships or aircraft of the two countries.

According to Chinese sources, Wei told Kono that he hopes the two countries will develop their relations in a stable manner while appropriately managing the differences between their positions.

Also, the two sides agreed to work for arranging a Japan visit by Wei next year.

Later on Wednesday, Kono held a meeting with Xu Qiliang, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission and the top uniformed officer of the Chinese military.

"We had very candid talks. I think our ideas were understood to a considerable degree," Kono told reporters after the meetings.

Jiji Press