On July 7, Komeito representative Natsuo Yamaguchi indicated that the government should proceed with preparations to receive Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s state visit to Japan despite China’s strengthening its control over Hong Kong and growing voices within the Liberal Democratic Party to call for the cancellation of his visit. “From historical and broad perspectives, we must promote (Xi’s state visit),” the Komeito leader told reporters at the Prime Minister’s Office [Kantei].

He stated that the visit is aimed at “bolstering bilateral ties through reciprocal visits by our leaders.” As the fight against the new coronavirus continues in Japan and China, he noted that “we are not in a position where we can set a specific itinerary” and added that “both Japan and China should work to create an environment to realize Xi’s visit and move forward.”