Japan's plutonium stocks no reason for concern - IAEA chief

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano poses at the start of a meeting with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (not pictured) at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels February 3, 2014. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

VIENNA (Reuters) - There is no reason for concern that plutonium held by Japan could be diverted for nuclear arms purposes, the U.N. atomic watchdog said on Monday, after objections raised by China in another dispute between the east Asian neighbours.

Last month, Beijing said it was "extremely concerned" by a report that Japan has resisted returning to the United States more than 300 kg (660 lb) of mostly weapons-grade plutonium.