Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday morning asked senior Chinese Communist Party official Liu Jianchao that Beijing lift its ban on imports of Japanese fishery products.
Kishida met with Liu, who heads the International Department of the party's Central Committee, at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo. China introduced the blanket ban last year in response to the ongoing release of treated wastewater from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
Kishida said that Japan hopes to accelerate cooperation beneficial to both parties through discussions on problems and concerns, based on the mutually beneficial strategic relationship.
Liu responded that he wants to contribute to expanding dialogue.
The Chinese official, thought to be close to leader Xi Jinping, also met with Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, with the pair agreeing to work toward mutual visits by their countries' top diplomats.
Later on Wednesday, Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi and Natsuo Yamaguchi, who heads Komeito, the LDP's coalition partner in the ruling bloc, each met with Liu.
Kishida stressed that these types of political interactions are crucial for the development of Sino-Japanese relations.