Japan acknowledged that the two countries, Japan and China, are not likely to agree on claims in the energy rich East China Sea.

Japan asked Beijing to be more 'practical' to try to come to an agreement.

The two countries are Asia's largest economies and energy importers.

The hope was to have a deal in place before new PM Yasuo Fukuda went to China for a visit…that hope has now been given up.

Japan says -  "It is regrettable that the Chinese side has not made a practical and full-fledged proposal. I hope China will make a concrete proposal soon by taking a stance to resolve this issue more actively."

The two countries have been discussing the gas fields since 2004 to no

resolution…just talk.

China began unilaterally drilling in the area in 2003 to the outrage of Tokyo.

China say - the economic zone stretches as far as Japan's Okinawa Island chain.

China is not apt to give up any of its territorial claims.

Kind of reminds me of a stubborn old man who just 'plain ain't gonna budge.' 

What do you think?