ニュース 2010/10/18 Kan comments that Japan and China need to engage in mutually beneficial strategic relationship On October 18, Prime Minister Naoto Kan spoke to reporters at the Prime Minister’s Office. Following news reports that Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping is now in line to become the next Chinese leader, Kan was asked for his impressions of the impact the new Chinese leadership structure would be likely to have on the future shape of Japan-China relations. Kan responded, “I do not think the next Chinese leader has been finally determined as yet, but I am convinced that it is necessary for both sides to make efforts to promote a mutually beneficial strategic relationship between Japan and China.” Kan also commented on the news that there had been attacks on Japanese-owned supermarkets and other businesses in anti-Japanese demonstrations that had taken place in China during the previous weekend, saying, “We are calling on the Chinese authorities to ensure that there will be no [adverse] effect on Japanese citizens. I believe that it is important for us to deal with this matter in a calm manner.” In response to another question related to the future improvement of Japan-China relations, Kan once more stressed, “Both countries are agreed on the need to deal with this situation calmly, and so I believe that things will be fine.”