The (Former) Empire Strikes Back

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is most displeased at the prospect of the European Union selling weapons to China.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has told EU leaders of his concern over the bloc's plans to lift an arms ban on China.

Tokyo's ties with Beijing have deteriorated recently, amid a row over colonial history and Japan's bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.

The arms embargo was imposed after Beijing's crackdown on pro-democracy rallies in Tiananmen Square in 1989.

The US has also warned that lifting the ban would upset Asia's power balance.

On Monday Mr Koizumi held talks with the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, and Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker. Luxembourg currently holds the bloc's rotating presidency.

"I did in fact express our concern [over lifting the ban]," Mr Koizumi told reporters afterwards.

"The response was that Japan's concern is very well understood on this question of the arms embargo. The EU, while fully understanding the concerns of Japan, would like to deal with the matter so that it does not lead to a problem," he said.

Translation of the European Union statement: "Yeah, okay, we know it's going to totally screw up the balance of power in a region we have no involvement in, and it's going to raise the threat of action against Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea... But seriously, we need the money, and let's get real. Everyone knows that Europeans don't care about anyone but themselves, right? So yeah, we're probably going to do it, but here's a voucher for some free Mad Cow beef."