‘We seek China to behave responsibly,’ says Japan’s new foreign minister

Japan’s new Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said on Wednesday that Tokyo wants a “stable relationship” with China based on common interests, although “what we need to assert will be asserted”.

“We hope to mutually work towards building a constructive and stable relationship,” Iwaya said in his first press conference after being nominated by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Tuesday.

The minister said he hoped to meet his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi “as soon as possible” for “frank exchanges and dialogue”, but a date had not yet been decided.

Relations between the neighbours have worsened as China builds up its military presence around disputed territories, and as Japan boosts security ties with the United States and its allies.

“Between Japan and China, there are many outstanding issues and challenges, but at the same time there is much possibility and potential,” Iwaya said.

Both are “major countries holding an important responsibility jointly for achieving peace and prosperity for this region and the entire international community”.