On January 31, 2008, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei visited Japan for working consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Both sides exchanged views on preparations for President Hu Jintao's visit to Japan this spring. During his visit, He Yafei held consultation with Japanese Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Kenichiro Sasae and met respectively with Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Mitoji Yabunaka and Director-General of Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Akitaka Saiki, who is also head of the Japanese delegation to the six-party talks.