A Japanese media report has said Japan could push back its decision to take the Dokdo issue to the International Court of Justice until after November.

Kyodo News Agency reported the Japanese government had initially planned to go to the ICJ in October, but decided to change plans as relations between the two countries have bettered in recent weeks.

The move has been interpreted by experts as Japan’s unwillingness to worsen ties with South Korea when it is already having territorial conflicts with China.

However, the report also cited a foreign ministry official as saying the Japanese government would go to the ICJ at the right time for the fullest effect.