Despite the Takaichi Cabinet's willingness to engage with China, the administration remains wary of China, viewing it as a"pro-Taiwan faction."

(Tokyo = Yonhap News) Correspondent Park Sang-hyun = With the inauguration of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who has a strong conservative tendency, attention is focused on whether a Korea-China-Japan summit will be held within the year.

The last trilateral summit was held in South Korea in May of last year, and Japan currently holds the presidency. Prime Minister Takaichi's predecessor, former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, has expressed his desire to hold the summit within the year.

When the Korea-China-Japan summit is held, President Lee Jae-myung and Chinese Premier Li Qiang are expected to visit Japan.

Regarding the holding of the Korea-China-Japan summit within the year, Kyodo News observed on the 23rd that the key issue will be whether Prime Minister Takaichi will be able to hold his first meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in Gyeongju on the 31st.

A Japanese government official said,"Prime Minister Takaichi wants to meet with Chairman Xi to create momentum and lead to a trilateral meeting."

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue in his inaugural press conference the previous day, saying,"There are pressing issues and challenges to be addressed, so we need to talk frankly."

Prime Minister Takaichi is also expected to mention security concerns with China in his speech to the extraordinary session of the Diet on the 24th and say,"We will continue to have frank dialogue between the leaders and comprehensively pursue a strategic mutually beneficial relationship."

However, China is wary of Prime Minister Takaichi, who values relations with Taiwan, as he is"completely pro-Taiwan," Kyodo reported.

In fact, the Chinese government has not announced whether it will send a congratulatory message in President Xi's name since Prime Minister Takaichi took office. When former Prime Ministers Fumio Kishida and Ishiba took office, President Xi sent a message calling for the two countries to develop good-neighborly and friendly relations.

In addition, Kyodo explained that if Prime Minister Takaichi sends a cabinet member as a government representative to the Shimane Prefecture “Takeshima (the name for Dokdo claimed by Japan) Day” event as mentioned in late last month, the good Korea-Japan relations could cool down.

The report predicted that Japan will adjust its schedule while taking into account the National Assembly schedule, saying,"The G20 summit is scheduled to take place in South Africa in late November, and there is a possibility that the opposition party will demand thorough deliberation on measures such as high inflation measures in the extraordinary session of the National Assembly."

Meanwhile, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, a Japanese government spokesperson, said regarding Prime Minister Takaichi's diplomatic schedule,"If circumstances permit, we are coordinating toward his attendance at the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) meetings in Malaysia and the APEC summit in Korea."

Minister Kihara added,"We are currently coordinating meetings with the leaders of each country," and "I hope this will be an opportunity for Prime Minister Takaichi to build friendship and trust with the leaders of each country."