In the mean time, Kyodo News of Japan quoted the statement of Mr. Gemba that the atmosphere of the appointment which was one hour long was very intense. Mr. Gemba suggested China should stay calm in the context that the islands dispute has put the mutual relationship between the two powerful nations of Asia down to the lowest level for recent years.

This was also the highest ranking appointment of the two parties after Japan nationalized the above islands, which sparked a wave of anti-Japanese protests in Chinese community as well as was the reason why Beijing conducted a series of solutions to retaliate.

The appointment of the two Secretaries of State took place after Japanese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Chikao Kawai arrived in Beijing to discuss with his Chinese counterpart Mr. Zhang Zhijun on 25 September, but no progress was made, and both parties only agreed to maintain communication with each other to find out solutions for the current tension. 

Source: Vietnam Government Portal