Japan has told China that it is reluctant to accept an invitation to be one of the founding members of a new infrastructure investment bank Beijing aims to set up in Asia this autumn, Japanese government sources said Saturday.
Tokyo's stance on the envisioned "Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank" may affect how other countries respond to Beijing's bid to expand its influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
With the United States warning against China's growing regional assertiveness, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe might urge Australian counterpart Tony Abbott not to take part in the AIIB during their planned summit Tuesday, the sources said.