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    TOKYO, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Visiting UN Secretary General Kofi Annan here on Wednesday called on Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to improve their strained ties resulted from a land dispute during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, local press reported.

    Annan, after talks at the prime minister's official residence, said he discussed with Koizumi "about Korea-Japan relationships and the need to reduce tensions and improve relations," and Koizumi seemed quite hopeful about the future, Kyodo News reported.

    Annan urged the two countries to hold talks to resolve their differences on the land issue, which nearly turned into a military deadlock last month when Japan sent two survey ships to the disputed islets, known as Dokdo in South Korea and Takeshima in Japan.

    He described the ties between Tokyo and Seoul as "important" not only for the region but for the whole world, and said he got the impression that the South Korean side has not closed doors for negotiation.

    Annan, whose term expires at the end of this year, also met with Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Taro Aso respectively.

    The UN chief arrived in Japan on Tuesday night for a four-day stay. He visited ROK from late last week and will travel to China and Vietnam after Japan. Enditem