BEIJING: Chinese ‌President Xi Jinping on Tuesday extended condolences to the family of former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who died ​last week, while calling on Japan's current leadership to "safeguard the political foundation" of ties that have been strained since late last year.

Fukuda, who died on Thursday from heart failure at the age of 90, used his brief period in office to seek closer ties with Asian neighbours, particularly ‌China, with ‌which relations have periodically been ​tense.

Fukuda ‌was ⁠a ​Japanese politician ⁠of integrity and responsibility, as well as an old friend of the Chinese people, Xi said in his message, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. Fukuda "upheld a correct view of history," Xi said.

The comments were a rare direct reference ⁠by the Chinese leader to the relationship ‌between the two countries ‌since it deteriorated late last year.

Ties ​between China and ‌Japan sank to their worst levels in years ‌after current Japanese Prime Minister TAKAICHI Sanae angered Beijing in November 2025 by suggesting that Japan could deploy its military if a Chinese move against neighbouring Taiwan also ‌threatened its territory.

Beijing called Takaichi's remarks "egregious" and demanded that she retract them. China ⁠has advised ⁠its citizens against travel to Japan, while also banning exports to Japan of items that can have a military application, including some rare earths.

In his message on Tuesday, Xi said he "hopes Japan's current leaders to cherish the hard work and efforts made by the older generation of politicians, abide by the four political documents between China and Japan, and earnestly safeguard the political foundation ​of bilateral relations."

China ​would remember Fukuda's contributions to China-Japan relations and to Asia's development, Xi added.

Reuters