Senior officials from Japan, China and South Korea met here Thursday to discuss the possibility of holding a trilateral summit that hasn't taken place for more than two years.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin and Lee Kyung-soo, South Korea's deputy foreign minister for political affairs.

"The three countries' cooperation seems to have become a major beacon to pave the way for future prosperity, not only for the region but also for the entire international community," Sugiyama said at the outset of the meeting, indicating a sense of anticipation in arranging the summit.