Japan-China ties to usher in new era in 2019: Japanese PM

TOKYO, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Japan will ushering in a new era in its ties with China in the new year among others, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in his New Year speech on Tuesday.

"Japan will draw the global spotlight as we will welcome top world leaders" in the Group of 20 Summit in in June, Abe said.

The prime minister promised to deal with Japan's low birthrate and aging population, with a free public pre-school education program set to take effect in October for all children aged between three and five.