Japan’s top nuclear negotiator Shinsuke Sugiyama has urged China to strengthen its role in efforts to resume the six-way nuclear talks.

Sugiyama made the call during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wu Dawei in Beijing on Wednesday.

Sugiyama said Japan hopes China will play a key role in getting the nuclear negotiations back on track, adding that Tokyo will boost coordination efforts with Beijing on the matter.

The Japanese nuclear envoy also called for China’s cooperation in resolving issues related to Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea.