With economic and security tensions with the United States escalating, China is expecting Japan's next prime minister to make conciliatory gestures to the communist-led government, diplomatic sources have said.

Suga, front-runner in the race to succeed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, may secure the role by winning the ruling party's presidential election with the backing of its powerful Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai, who is known for his close relations with China.

Given that outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made efforts to improve ties with Beijing, China hopes Suga, who has worked as chief Cabinet secretary since Abe returned to power in December 2012, will follow suit, according to the sources.