Japan to ask Beijing for embassy repair costs

The Japanese government will ask China to pay for repairs to its embassy and consulates after anti-Japanese protest swept the country, Financial Times reported. The buildings were the main targets for protests, which were ignited by a dispute over several small islands in the East China Sea. Chinese demonstrators threw stones and rubbish at the government buildings and set fire to Japanese companies. A Japanese department store was also ransacked. On Thursday, Japan’s chief cabinet secretary said the country will request payment for the damages to embassy and consulates. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations states the host nation is responsible for the security and proper maintenance of embassies. Japanese companies temporarily suspended service due to the protests. Trade between the two countries has also been affected.