Prime Minister Shinzo Abe voiced eagerness on Tuesday to host Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit, despite some conservative lawmakers opposing the plan due largely to the lingering political unrest in Hong Kong.
"Japan and China have a responsibility for peace and stability in this region and the world," Abe said at a news conference in Chengdu, China, following a trilateral summit in the city that also included South Korea.
Xi's envisioned visit to Japan next spring "would be a good chance to show the responsibility of Japan and China," Abe added.