Preparations are underway in Tokyo for the arrival of the Chinese president, Jiang Zemin, on the first full official visit to Japan by a Chinese head of state.

The BBC Tokyo correspondent says much of his visit is expected to focus on whether Tokyo will offer a stronger apology for its invasion of China in the 1930s.

The Chinese Foreign Minister, Tang Jiaxuan, has been holding talks in Japan to try to negotiate the wording of a statement which would incorporate such an apology.

The Japanese broadcaster, NHK, reported that a compromise had been reached but Japanese officials said discussions were still continuing.