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Japan offered to provide technical support in order to help China cope with its pollution problem. However, China seems unwilling to accept Japan’s offer, according to Environment Minister Nobuteru Ishihara.

Ishihara’s statement came after Japan and China’s officials met on February 22 in Beijing and agreed to work together in order to reduce the growing pollution. The smog is caused by so-called PM2.5, particulate matters some 2.5 thousandths of a millimeter or smaller in diameter, which could cause health problems, according to Kyodo news agency.

The two states’ cooperation was expected by Tokyo to serve as a “lever” in attempts to improve the relations between Japan and China. Both countries are involved in a territorial conflict over the control of Senkaku islands in the East China Sea. However, according to Ishihara, Beijing does not seem too interested in moving the agreement forward.

The thick smog that has been suffocating cities in China arrived weeks ago in various parts of Japan, leading to warnings of health risks for the young and those who are sick. Images of Beijing and other Chinese cities blanketed by choking smog were broadcasted at that time by Japanese TV channels.