Japan's annual diplomatic report calls for the promotion of strategic and mutually beneficial ties with China for the first time in five years.
The Foreign Ministry presented this year's Diplomatic Bluebook to a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
The report says Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the worsening situation in the Middle East have complicated the structure of global divisions.
Against this backdrop, it says emerging and developing nations, collectively known as the Global South, are becoming more vocal as they seek more influence on the international stage.
On relations with China, the report refers to many pending issues of concern, including Beijing's suspension of Japanese seafood imports.
But it says both countries should strive to establish constructive and stable bilateral ties, by promoting the concept of a "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests."
The term first emerged in 2006 under then-prime minister Abe Shinzo. It was later omitted, due to a worsening of Japan-China relations.
The concept was reaffirmed at a Japan-China summit last year, when the two countries marked the 45th anniversary of their peace and friendship treaty.
On North Korea, the report describes Pyongyang's abductions of Japanese nationals as a humanitarian issue that cannot be set aside even momentarily.
The phrasing is stronger than last year's report, which described the abductions as "a humanitarian issue with a time constraint."
The report also calls South Korea a "partner" for the first time in 14 years, reflecting the recent improvement in bilateral relations.