LDP Secretary General Nikai said on April 25, 2017, that he will attend China's New Silk Road summit in May. This is being interpreted as an indicator that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to improve ties with Beijing amid tensions over North Korea's missile and nuclear programs. But an adviser to Abe said Tokyo remained cautious about the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai was quoted by a local news agency telling a news conference, adding he would attend the May 14-15 China summit and "Given the international situation starting with North Korea, mutual understanding between Japan and China is vital." Separately, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference that Japan's Trade Minister, Hiroshige Seko, is also considering attending after receiving an invitation and Sadayuki Sakakibara, chairman of business lobby Keidanren, will also go.
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