Japan not inviting SKorea to naval review amid dispute

Tokyo, Sep 24 (AP) Japan has announced it is not inviting South Korea to an upcoming multinational naval review it is hosting next month because their ties are badly strained over history, trade and defence. The Maritime Self-Defense Force, Japan's navy, said Tuesday it will not invite the South Korean navy for the review, scheduled for Oct. 14 at Sagami Bay, west of Tokyo.

The head of the maritime force, Adm. Hiroshi Yamamura, says the decision was made because of the "severe condition of current Japan-South Korea relations." Tensions between the two Asian neighbors have escalated since July, when Japan tightened export controls against South Korea.

Defence officials said seven countries — the US, Britain, Canada, Australia, India, Singapore and China — are invited to the naval review.(AP) AMS

AMS