From December 17 to 21, 2018, at the invitation of the Foreign Ministry of Japan, Spokesperson and Director-General of the Information Department of the Foreign Ministry Lu Kang visited Japan for the fifth spokespersons consultation between Chinese and Japanese Foreign Ministries with Foreign Press Secretary of the Foreign Ministry Takeshi Osuga of Japan. Both sides exchanged views on a wide range of topics including deepening counterpart exchanges concerning the work of information and public diplomacy between the two Foreign Ministries, increasing mutual understanding of public opinion between both countries and creating a sound atmosphere for the long-term, healthy and stable development of China-Japan relations.

During his stay in Japan, Director-General Lu Kang also met with Special Advisor to the Prime Minister and Cabinet Public Relations Secretary Eiichi Hasegawa, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeo Akiba, Vice-Governor of Osaka Prefecture Jun Arai and Deputy Mayor of Osaka City Seigo Tanaka. Lu Kang visited the NHK and gave an inclusive interview to it as well as attended the China-Japan Media and Think Tank Dialogue. Lu Kang had communication and interactions with more than 130 representatives of Chinese and Japanese college students from Kansai of Japan, and held discussions with major Chinese media in Japan.

Consul General of the Chinese Consulate-General in Osaka Li Tianran, Minister of the Chinese Embassy in Japan Guo Yan, and others accompanied Lu Kang and attended relevant activities.