All national papers except Asahi wrote today that arrangements are underway for Prime Minister Suga and Chinese Communist Party President Xi to hold a teleconference on Sept. 25, projecting that the two leaders are likely to affirm their mutual commitment to increasing bilateral communications. They may also discuss the possibility of Xi visiting Japan. Sankei noted that attention is focused on whether Suga will take up such issues as China’s maritime push in the vicinity of the Senkakus and the situation in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Saturday’s Asahi reported that Foreign Minister Motegi told the press on Friday that “now is not the time” to think about arranging Chinese leader Xi’s postponed visit to Japan. The daily said although LDP Secretary General Nikai expressed hope that Xi will visit Japan at an early date on Thursday, Motegi reiterated MOFA’s position that it would be difficult to arrange the visit before the end of the year.