Japan decided against sending a military plane to transport relief goods to earthquake-hit regions in China, the top government spokesman said Friday.
Some Japanese officials expressed concerns that the Japan's military presence would trigger memories of its wartime aggression among some Chinese citizens, reported dpa.
The government will charter a commercial plane for the disaster assistance in deference to China's concerns about military aircraft, Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura said.
Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba referred to websites that Chinese people reportedly posted regarding "quite a large amount of something like a backlash and aversion to Japan."
Japan had planned to use the Air Self-Defence Forces to transport relief supplies to Sichuan Province and other areas following a request from the Chinese government for additional aid.