. >>> crits tksin shinawatra are denouncing a decision allowing m visit japan. he was granted a special visa sunday. about 80 protestors gathered in front of the japanese embassy bangkok on thursday. they say thaksin is a criminal convicted of corruption. the group handed an embassy official a written statement calling for s sito be canced it is scheduled to start next monday. japan issued the exceptional visa to thaksin after the new thai government led by his sister asked for his trip to be approved. japan's immigration rules generally don't allow foreigners who were given prison terms of more tn a year to enter the country. a thai court sentenced thaksin in 2008 to two years in jail for violating an anti-corruption law. he's lived in exile since the military coup pushed him out of office in 2006. during his week-long stay in japan, the former thai leader plans to visit areas hit by the march 11th disaster. >>> the vice presidents of the united states and china agreed to strengthen their countries' bilateral relations. joe biden held talks with xi jinping on t