Global Community Reacts To Abe's Resignation
The global community is reacting to Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's announcement that he will resign.
In China, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said the government was watching the developing story.
Zhao said, "Even though we are monitoring media reports, I will refrain from commenting on Japan's internal affairs. Japan is a neighboring country, so we will stay focused on improving and developing the bilateral relationship."
China has been placing more importance on ties with Japan as tensions rise between Beijing and Washington.
A state visit to Japan by President Xi Jinping that had been scheduled for April was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement, South Korea's presidential office said it was sorry to hear of the sudden announcement, but is eager to cooperate with a new prime minister. The statement added that South Korea aims to foster a continued relationship of goodwill with Japan.
In Moscow, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the relationship between President Vladimir Putin and Abe as "brilliant".
On Twitter, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Abe had "achieved great things for his country and the world" and thanked him for his service.
He said "the UK-Japan relationship has gone from strength to strength in trade, defense and our cultural links."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters she regrets Abe's resignation and wishes him "the very best," adding that the two G7 leaders "worked very well together."
