Tokyo, April 15, SPA -- Japan's foreign minister said Friday he hopedtalks with Chinese officials this weekend will defusetensions between the two countries, as Tokyo warnedJapanese citizens in China to steer clear of expectedprotests. Violence flared in China last week as thousands ofanti-Japanese protesters poured into the streets todenounce a Japanese textbook that critics say covers upTokyo's wartime atrocities. Some protesters pelted theJapanese Embassy in Beijing with rocks. Japan has demanded an apology from the Chinese governmentfor allowing the protests, though Beijing has said Tokyo isto blame for the passions because it has not properlyatoned for historical wrongs. Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura is scheduledto travel to Beijing on Sunday for talks, and said onFriday he hoped for good results. "I think that it is all the more meaningful for bothsides to hold talks at a time when various problems arehappening," Machimura told reporters. "I expect theupcoming meeting will be a step toward creating a betterenvironment."--more1108 Local Time 0808 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/254773