Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Japan has been postponed because both countries have agreed to prioritise the fight against the coronavirus outbreak, Reuters reported quoting Japan's top government spokesman.

The Asian neighbours agreed the visit would take place at a better time and that a new itinerary would be arranged, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference.

Suga said the delay in Xi's visit, which had been originally planned for early April, would not affect Japan-China relations