Japan minister's China remarks 'inappropriate'

BEIJING - Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa's call for stronger military ties with its allies to balance China's growing influence was described as "inappropriate" by a leading analyst.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal on Friday, Kitazawa said "in order to maintain the right balance in our relationship with China, we need to also solidify the ties between Japan, the US and South Korea", adding that Japan was particularly concerned about China's increasing naval capabilities.

He also said Japan's relations with the United States were strengthened by the help its military provided in the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, the paper reported on Saturday.