Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday sent a congratulatory letter to Xi Jinping, who was elected as China's new president on the day, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

Speaking at a press conference, Suga said the Japanese government congratulated the newly elected Chinese leaders, adding the country is will to work together with the new leaders to build up bilateral strategic and mutually beneficial relationship.

The top government spokesman reiterated that Japan-China relations remain one of the most important bilateral relations for Japan.

Relations between China and Japan soured since last September as the Japanese side unilaterally "nationalized"the Diaoyu Islands, which are inherent territories of China.