Tokyo to convey concern over China's plan to execute Japanese man+

TOKYO, March 30 Kyodo -
Japan's top government spokesman Hirofumi Hirano said Tuesday he will convey to
the Chinese government Japan's concern over Beijing's plan to execute a
Japanese man convicted of attempting to smuggle stimulant drugs from China to
Japan in 2006.
''The issue is a matter of justice in China,'' Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirano
said in a news conference in Tokyo. ''But when it comes to a death sentence, I
understand there is certainly public sentiment (against it) and the government
will express and convey its concern (to China).''
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, meanwhile, showed regret over the planned
execution, telling reporters, ''We have expressed our interest (in the issue)
to the Chinese authorities. It's quite regrettable.''
In Japan, no inmates have been executed since Hatoyama's Democratic Party of
Japan assumed power last September. Seven inmates were hanged last year before
the change of government.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Tuesday the country notified
Japan the previous day of the imminent execution of the man identified as
Mitsunobu Akano.
If he is executed, it will be the first execution by China of a Japanese
national since the two countries normalized diplomatic relations in 1972.
==Kyodo