Japan¡¯s diplomatic mission in the southwestern Chinese megacity of Chongqing has been left without a consul-general, as relations between Tokyo and Beijing remain strained.
The Japanese embassy in Beijing said the post in Chongqing is currently vacant but declined to provide further details, calling it a personnel matter. Other staff members, including the chief consul, are ensuring day-to-day operations remain unaffected, it said in a statement Thursday in response to a query.
The news was first reported by Nikkei, which said the post has been vacant for more than a month, citing unidentified sources. It said that Chinese authorities delayed responding to the Japanese government¡¯s request to send a successor following the transfer of the previous consul-general.
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