Former Japanese prime minister Yukio Hatoyama emphasized the importance of adhering to established principles in China-Japan relations, referencing agreements reached in the 1970s in an exclusive interview with China Daily.

Regarding Taiwan, Hatoyama said the Chinese government holds that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. "At that time, the Japanese government expressed understanding and respect for this position, and a consensus was reached," he said, adding that Japan should continue to abide by this consensus and properly handle the Taiwan question "as an internal affair of China".