Despite the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and China, the two countries need to make more efforts to improve the relations，Tokyo 2020 Council Secretary General Kazuo Ogura said?at the eighth Beijing-Tokyo Forum on Sunday.

Kazuo Ogura?said that it?will take a long time?and he is willing to make every effort?for a better relationship between Japan and China.

Kazuo Ogura made the speech during a banquet at the eighth launch of the Beijing-Tokyo Forum which is being held in Tokyo from July 1 to July 3.

The forum, cosponsored by China Daily and Genron NPO, a Japanese non-profit organization, has been held alternately, in Beijing and Tokyo, since 2005.

This year?marks the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan.