BEIJING: Beijing and Seoul, in welcoming the appointment of Sanae Takaichi as Japan’s new and first woman prime minister, expressed hope that it will herald a new era in their ties with Tokyo.
Beijing said Tuesday it hopes to “advance” ties with Tokyo, after the prominent China hawk Takaichi was appointed.
Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said that China had “noted the election result”, describing it as “Japan’s internal affair”.
He called on Tokyo to “honour its political commitments on major issues including history and Taiwan”, in response to a question at a daily press conference.
Meanwhile, South Korea pledged on Tuesday to “work closely” with Takaichi.
“Our government will continue to work closely with Japan’s new cabinet to maintain the positive momentum in bilateral ties,” foreign ministry spokesman Lee Jae-woong told reporters in Seoul.