Japan parliamentary group eyes China trip in Sept. to thaw ties

Junior members of a nonpartisan Japanese parliamentary group promoting friendship with China are planning a visit to China in September, according to the group's chair. The visit would mark the first delegation trip to China since Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sparked tensions with China in November by suggesting Japan might support the United States in a hypothetical attack on Taiwan.

Members from both the ruling and opposition parties are set to join the delegation. Hiroshi Moriyama, the group's chairman, is leading the effort to expedite the visit.

In Beijing, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun indicated that China is open to engaging with individuals who foster amicable relations with the country and appreciate the bilateral ties. Guo urged Japan to take concrete steps to restore normal exchanges between the two nations.

Last month, a separate group of Japanese lawmakers, comprising members from different political parties, visited China and met with Lu Kang, vice minister of China's Communist Party International Department. Additionally, former Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, who chairs a prominent economic association advocating for trade with China, is also making travel arrangements for this month.

The current diplomatic rift between Japan and China originated from Takaichi's November parliament comments indicating potential Japanese support for the United States in a hypothetical Chinese invasion of Taiwan. China has since imposed trade restrictions and urged its citizens to refrain from traveling to Japan as a response.