Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio says he wants to highlight cooperation among Japan, China and South Korea and make it shine brighter for future generations.
Kishida made the comment at the start of a trilateral summit in Seoul, South Korea, on Monday.
He said the world is at a historic juncture and the international situation is becoming more severe than ever.
Kishida said the three neighboring countries share cultures and a long history. He said their combined GDP accounts for more than 20 percent of the global total, and that they bear greater responsibility for the stability and prosperity of the region and the world.
Kishida stressed the need for the countries to bring their wisdom together to expand trilateral cooperation in a way that will benefit the region and the international community, and to lead the global community to harmony.
The Japanese prime minister said cooperation among the three countries will make a fresh start today. He said he wants to deepen discussions on how they will be able to promote concrete cooperation suitable for the current era.
Kishida also referred to North Korea's notification that it is planning to launch a satellite. He said if the North presses ahead with the plan, it will violate UN Security Council resolutions. He strongly urged Pyongyang to cancel the launch.
Kishida expressed his hope to use the summit to step up communication among the three countries on the international situation, including North Korea, and on the strengthening of the global economic order.