Tokyo (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Japan might grant an entry visa to Taiwan's former President Lee Teng-Hui before the end of the year, this according to Kyodo news agency. Citing Foreign Ministry sources, it said that a ministry's spokesperson announced Taiwan's former president might visit Japan for the first since 2001 when he came for medical treatment.

Mr Lee's earlier visit drew sharp protests from China but Japan decided to give him a visa on "humanitarian grounds" on the condition that he agree to refrain from any political activity during his stay. Later, Mr Lee further expressed the desire to make sightseeing trip to Japan with his family.

Mr Lee Teng-Hui has advocated Taiwan's independence in the last few years.

If confirmed, the decision could further fuel tensions between Japan and China.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries have deteriorated following the incursion in Japanese waters of a Chinese submarine last month.

Japan's new defence policy document which explicitly names China and North Korea as potential threats has made matters worse.

Beijing has responded expressing its 'strong dissatisfaction' with the document.

According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue, "Japan publicly plays up the so-called 'China's threat'" but its claims are "completely groundless and extremely irresponsible."

Ms Zhang said she hoped the "Japanese side [would] make more efforts in the benefit of the stronger mutual trust between our two sides and the healthy and steady development of our relations.