Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: I believe that you have had a meeting with Mr. Ji Bingxuan, Vice-Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China. Could you please share with us the content of the meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As you have just noted, I recently met with a delegation from the National People’s Congress of China, headed by Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee, Mr. Ji Bingxuan. I conveyed to the delegation that Japan has consistently placed importance on Japan-China relations and that I personally have been emphasizing the importance of bilateral relations. I also noted that since the Japan-China summit meeting in November last year, bilateral relations have been improving and that it is necessary to further vitalize dialogue and exchange in line with our mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests. In that sense, I also noted that the visit to Japan by Vice-Chairman Ji was of great significance and that the Government wishes to advance exchanges on various levels. Vice-Chairman Ji was also very positive, noting the continuing exchanges that have been taking place since the summit meeting last year and expressing the wish to develop these exchanges into more full-fledged exchanges.

(Abridged)