BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping has congratulated new Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba , state media reported on Wednesday (Oct 2), the day after he took office in Tokyo. Relations between the countries have worsened as China builds its military presence around disputed territories in the region, and as Japan boosts security ties with the United States and its allies. Xinhua news agency said that Xi on Tuesday told Ishiba he hoped the "neighbours separated by a strip of water" could