Newly-appointed Japanese envoy to China dies

Tokyo: Japan`s newly-appointed ambassador to China died Sunday after he fell unconscious on a street in Tokyo three days ago, Xinhua reported.

Shinichi Nishimiya, 60, died at a hospital in Tokyo, according to Kyodo news agency.

Nishimiya fell unconscious on a street Thursday. Police said it was caused by illness.

Kyodo, however, said the cause of his death was yet to be known.

Nishimiya`s appointment had just been approved by the Japanese government Tuesday. He was to replace current Japanese ambassador to China Uichiro Niwa.

China and Japan are currently embroiled in a dispute over a group of islands in the East China Sea.

Nishimiya was earlier deputy foreign minister in charge of economic affairs.

IANS