Relations between Japan and China have recently become strained  (Photo: Internet)

(VOVworld) – A New Year celebration for Japan and China was held in Osaka City on Friday to consolidate the bilateral ties. The event was organized by the Japan-China Economic Relations and Trade Center (JCERTC) and the Japan-China Friendship Association of Osaka.

JCERTC Director Atsushi Murayama said despite mounting political tension due to diplomatic problems, the two peoples now need new economic and cultural approaches. He said China and Japan which are geographically close and the world's second and third largest economies, should hold dialogues with each other.

Yu Shuyuan, Chinese Vice Consul-General in Osaka, said that the two countries need to ease diplomatic tension while increasing measures to build trust at all levels and jointly contributing to the growth of both economies.

On the same day, China's Culture Minister Cai Wu expressed his hope to resume friendship exchange activities with Japan following Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to the controversial Yashukuni shrine last December.