TOKYO - THE chief of Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang made a historic visit to Japan on Sunday in a bid to repair ties frayed by tensions over disputed islets in the East China Sea.

Party chairman Wu Poh-hsiung - the first leader of a ruling Taiwanese party to visit Japan - arrived for a week-long stay, a Kuomintang official told AFP by telephone.

Mr Wu is due to meet Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara as well as officials from various political parties, officials said in Taipei.

Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou had asked Mr Wu to convey a clear message to Japan that his government is keen to forge closer ties with Tokyo.

'President Ma is fully aware of the importance of Taiwan-Japan ties, which he defined as a 'special partner relationship,'' Wu said in a statement released Saturday.

Trade between Taiwan and Japan totals about US$60 billion (S$31.3 billion) a year.

Mr Wu will also likely try to allay Tokyo's concerns about Mr Ma's efforts to improve ties with Beijing since the new president took office in May.

Taipei-Tokyo ties hit a low point in June after a Taiwanese fishing boat collided with a Japanese patrol boat and sank in the East China Sea near the disputed island chain, known as Senkaku in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese.

The Japanese vessel rescued all 16 people onboard the fishing boat and sent them back to Taiwan after questioning.

Japan administers the uninhabited island group, which lies near rich energy deposits, but it is also claimed by Taipei and Beijing.

Japan has agreed to pay the Taiwanese skipper 10.5 million Taiwan dollars (S$476,000) in compensation, the Taipei-based United Daily News said. -- AFP