US President Donald Trump urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to hold direct talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun reported on October 2.

Trump made the suggestion during the US-China summit in Washington on September 24, according to the report, which cited Japanese government officials. He relayed the details to Takaichi in a phone call on September 26.

High-level China-Japan dialogue has been stalled since Takaichi’s remarks last November about Japan potentially exercising collective self-defence in a Taiwan crisis. Official dialogues at the summit and foreign minister levels have effectively halted since then.

China has intensified its criticism of Takaichi’s security policies, labelling them “new militarism”. Trump reportedly described Takaichi as a “strong leader” and encouraged dialogue.

Takaichi confirmed that the United States and Japan agreed to contribute to regional peace and stability. The report highlights Washington’s efforts to cool one of Asia’s frostiest relationships.

Japan’s ties with China have deteriorated since last November, when Takaichi suggested that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo.