Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi says the outlook is "not too bright" on prospects for convening six-way nuclear talks at the end of this month as previously scheduled.

Kawaguchi made the remarks Sunday in Beijing during a meeting with Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan.

Kawaguchi said the participants of the multilateral discussions are increasingly facing a situation in which the outlook for holding the talks in September is not too bright. She also expressed hope that China would continue making efforts on the issue.

Tang, in response, highlighted China's ongoing efforts to convene the talks, saying that he hopes the six-nation dialogue will be held as previously agreed in the last round of six-party talks in Beijing in June.

On Monday, the Japanese minister will use the last day of her three-day visit in China to attend an international business forum known as the China Business Summit.