PM Shigeru Ishiba seeks to reassure Washington of Tokyo’s commitment to the US-Japan alliance and its presence in the region, amid concerns over China’s influence.

China remains Japan's largest trading partner, with over 13,000 Japanese companies operating in the country. Iwaya emphasized Japan's desire to advance its relationship with China in a constructive manner and promote people-to-people exchanges to deepen mutual understanding.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told the Lower House Budget Committee on Friday that, when he meets with U.S. President Donald Trump on Feb. 7, he will get confirmation that Japan’s security treaty with the United States covers the defense of the Senkaku Islands, which are also claimed by China.

As conservatives urge Shigeru Ishiba to follow the late Shinzo Abe’s lead, moderates warn against alienating Japan’s neighbours.

Japan will promote communication with China,' says Ishiba as millions celebrate Chinese New Year - Anadolu Ajansı

Japan’s leader is finally set to meet Trump, three months after the US president’s election victory. Why has he spent that time cozying up to China instead?

The first sign of improving Japan–China relations during the summit was the behaviour of the two leaders. Both Prime Minister Ishiba and President Xi appeared conciliatory in their public interactions. Xi’s cordial approach reflects China’s shift to smile diplomacy instead of its hard-line wolf warrior approach of the past.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is working to stabilize his government and strengthen Japan-US ties. Amid regional security concerns and China's growing influence, Ishiba plans to meet with US President Trump.

Tengrinews.kz - President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received the Special Adviser to the Prime Minister of Japan, Member of the House of Representatives of the Parliament Akihisa Nagashima, according to Akorda.

Japan's concerns over a potential U.S. retreat from the region have grown amid China's increasingly assertive military posture.

Type 03 Chu-SAM surface-to-air missiles are set to be deployed on Japan's westernmost island of Yonaguni, 110 kilometers (68 miles) from Taiwan. Yonaguni is part of Okinawa Prefecture and the first island chain, which stretches southward to the Philippines and which Washington considers key to hemming in Chinese forces in the event of a conflict.