Prime Minister Shinzo Abe suggested Tuesday it is necessary for the leaders of Japan and China to hold talks and improve bilateral relations soured by the Senkaku territorial dispute, and that North Korea will face a "strict response" if it conducts another nuclear test.
"There might be a need to re-establish the relationship, starting with a summit," Abe said on TV, referring to the growing tensions over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea that are claimed by Beijing.
The isles are Japan's "inherent territory" and there is "no room for negotiations" over the sovereignty of the islets, Abe said, reiterating Tokyo's position. But he also said the two countries need to rebuild a "strategic partnership of mutual benefit" and "hold a summit or high-level talks because of the problems we have faced."