Japan to reduce challenges, increase coordination with China: Premier Ishiba

ISTANBUL

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said that Tokyo will “reduce challenges and increase coordination” with Beijing as millions of people celebrated New Chinese Year on Wednesday.

"Japan will promote communication with China, including at the level of national leaders," Shigeru told lawmakers, according to Jiju Press.

"The two countries have serious responsibility for the peace and prosperity of the region and the international community," Shigeru added.

Tokyo and Beijing have taken steps in recent months to stabilize bilateral relations, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to visit Japan next month.

Earlier this month, China hosted a delegation of Japanese lawmakers in a bid to deepen ties with Tokyo.

The trip resumed dialogue between China and Japan that had been suspended since 2018.

Tokyo also received a rare trip by a delegation of Chinese military this month.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya visited China last month.

Japan, which hosts over 50,000 US troops, has seen improvement in ties with US arch rival China.