Japan has sounded out China and South Korea about holding a trilateral summit in Tokyo in February.

The aim of the proposed summit is to strengthen cooperation and deepen ties. Issues such as free trade, the environment, and counter-terrorism will also be discussed.

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The three Asian giants have long been divided by North Korea and other historical issues.

According to media reports, South Korea has expressed enthusiastic support for the summit. China has yet to make its position clear.

China is expected to wait until incoming US President Donald Trump makes his position on Asia clear.

If the summit is approved by the three countries, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, and Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn are expected to meet around Feb. 10.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye's recent impeachment means the country's Prime Minister will represent Seoul.

Earlier this month, Japan and South Korea said that they plan to impose new unilateral sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear ambitions. China opposed the said plans.

China is also bitterly opposed to a plan by the United States and South Korea to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area defense  (THAAD) anti-missile system as protection against missile threats from North Korea.

A few days ago, China and South Korea were angered by a Japan's Defense Minister's decision to visit a controversial shrine for war dead. Both countries see the Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo as a symbol and reminder of Japan's past militarism and war atrocities.

According to the media, Japan proposed the meeting to South Korea in mid-December following Park's impeachment. 

Tagschina, Japan, South Korea