Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato on Friday said relations with Taiwan are practical and not government-to-government, as he answered questions from the Phoenix TV at a briefing.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato attends a press conference in Tokyo on Jan. 13, 2021. (Photo: CFP)

He said Japan respects the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and recognizes China as the sole legitimate government.

His remarks came after Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga referred to Taiwan as a "country" during a parliamentary debate on Wednesday.