Press Conference by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hagiuda
(Abridged)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: On a different topic, Foreign Minister Kishida has indicated that he may make a visit to China. There are various areas of concern in the relationship with China, including, for example, the South China Sea issue, so what does the Government expect to achieve from such a visit?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY HAGIUDA: I am aware that in a speech delivered on January 19, Foreign Minister Kishida stated that he is considering the possibility of a visit to China toward spring this year. However, no decision has yet been made about such a visit, or its specific timing. In addition to the upcoming Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue, the governments of the two countries have agreed to seek various possibilities for dialogue in view of our mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests, and in that context I believe a visit to China by the foreign minister would be most beneficial.

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