Former Japanese ambassador to the United Nations Makoto Taniguchi on Friday underscored the need to improve Sino-Japanese relations and develop the east Asian community.

Taniguchi told a forum in Shanghai that full cooperation between Japan and China, two of the world's major economies, is key to stable global economic order.

He said the two sides should improve mutual trust and suggested more exchanges, especially between the youth of both nations.

Many young Chinese study in Japan, but the same is not true for Japanese students, he said, advising the Japanese government to offer more opportunities to this end.

He said he worried about Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Asian policy, which leans toward the United States rather than its Asian neighbors.

Taniguchi called for stronger Sino-Japanese economic cooperation, saying Japan should join the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank as soon as possible.

He also advised more environmental protection cooperation and proper handling of territorial and historical issues.

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