Komeito’s Sato queries PM on direction of Japan’s engagement with China

April 21 , 2021

Sato interpellated PM Suga on Japan’s post-summit China policy on Apr. 20Sato interpellated PM Suga on Japan’s post-summit China policy on Apr. 20

At a House of Representatives session held on April 20, Shigeki Sato of Komeito queried Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on his recent summit meeting with US President Joseph R. Biden. Sato cited the summit as “a new departure point” to strengthen and further develop bilateral relations. Sato then referred to the Suga-Biden joint statement, which “recognized the importance of candid conversations with China… and acknowledged the need to work with China on areas of common interest.” He asked Suga how their statement would influence Japan’s China policy, to which the prime minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to engage Beijing in dialogue to resolve, step by step, outstanding bilateral issues.