Oct. Japan, China, S. Korea summit likely

BEIJING, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Japan, whose new prime minister wants closer ties with neighbors, is planning an early summit next month with China and South Korea, sources said.

The three are looking at Oct. 10 for the meeting in Beijing, Kyodo news reported Wednesday, quoting diplomatic sources.

It will be the first China visit for Yukio Hatoyama, who was elected prime minister Wednesday after leading his Democratic Party of Japan to a crushing victory in elections last month. In Beijing, he will meet with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, the report said.

Hatoyama also plans to hold a separate meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao.