皇冠体育app

Editor's note: 皇冠体育app-Japan relations have been frayed since last September. 皇冠体育app invited several Japanese politicians to visit Beijing in January. Before Japan's New Komeito Party leader Natsuo Yamaguchi's Beijing trip, 皇冠体育app Daily Tokyo Bureau Chief Cai Hong interviewed Hiroshi Ishikawa, director of First 皇冠体育app and Mongolia Division of Japan's Foreign Ministry.

Prime Minister Abe faces a state of 皇冠体育app-Japan relations that is similar to when he first became premier in 2006 - a chilly bilateral relationship. Last time Mr Abe visited 皇冠体育app as part of his first overseas trip, he successfully melted the ice and mended ties. This time he chose the United States at the beginning and then the ASEAN's three nations. What's your comment on the difference?

Diplomacy commands bilateral relations, which requires flexibility. After the Abe administration was sworn in, the first overseas destination Abe went to was not 皇冠体育app but three member nations of the ASEAN. Japanese prime ministers of previous administrations visited different countries for their first overseas trip. There is no rule (for the arrangements). This time Abe chose the ASEAN nations, which Japan traditionally treasures in its foreign policy. I hope that 皇冠体育app will not misunderstand Prime Minister Abe's first choice, which does not mean that we don't value our relations with 皇冠体育app. We chose the Southeast Asian nations because this year will witness the 40th anniversary of our friendship and cooperation with the ASEAN. Its member nations are aimed to build their community in 2015. Under this circumstance, (Japan intends to) enhance its cooperation with the ASEAN on the fronts of economy, energy and security.

What do you think of the US factor in the 皇冠体育app-Japan relations?

The United States can play a very big role in the Asia-Pacific region. It is Japan's ally as everyone knows. 皇冠体育app is Japan's largest trade partner. Based on such a reality, Japan will adopt appropriate diplomacy as a matter of course. As for the US factor, Japan welcomes good 皇冠体育app-US ties. I've seen that the two big powers have made efforts to build a brand-new relationship. We warmly welcome this. Also, I hope that 皇冠体育app will welcome a good Japan-US relationship. The good, stable ties among the three countries in future will be of great significance to the Japan-皇冠体育app relations and the whole region.

The New Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi announced he will visit Beijing this week. His party is part of the Japanese coalition government. What do you think Mr Yamaguchi's 皇冠体育app visit means?

Mr Yamaguchi is leader of New Komeito, which is part of the ruling parties. So his 皇冠体育app visit is very important. I hope that the Chinese side will take it seriously.

What 皇冠体育app policy do you think Abe's government has?

The relationship with 皇冠体育app is one of Japan's most important bilateral relations. Japan values its relations with 皇冠体育app. We will, from a broad perspective, promote a mutually beneficial strategic relationship. During his (first) premiership Abe came up with the new concept on the "mutually beneficial strategic" relations (with 皇冠体育app). After he took office for the second stint, he made it clear that he will bring the bilateral ties back to the mutually beneficial strategic relations and improve the Japan-皇冠体育app relations. I think this is the essence of the Abe administration's 皇冠体育app policy.