Japan mulls diplomatic shake-up

Japan is mulling over breaking its diplomatic deadlock with its neighbors, yet a series of planned diplomatic reshuffles disclosed on Monday may not make huge a difference and its policy-makers may move closer to the conservative side, analysts say.

Japan's Kyodo News Agency quoted government sources as saying that Tokyo plans to replace its ambassadors to China, South Korea and the United States.

Japanese vice-ministers of foreign affairs Shinichi Nishimiya and Koro Bessho will be appointed as ambassadors to China and South Korea, and Vice-Minister of foreign affairs Kenichiro Sasae will replace Ichiro Fujisaki as ambassador to the US.