An international group of legislators is calling on Japan to play a leading role in tackling China's human rights issues.

Participants at the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China issued a statement on Friday at a symposium held in Tokyo.

The gathering comes ahead of the Group of Seven summit scheduled for May in Hiroshima.

Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss and Former Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison were among those who took part.

The statement says, "Japan must shift towards a more proactive human rights diplomacy as the chair of G7."

The statement also urges Japan to introduce its own version of the Magnitsky Act, a US bill that allows sanctions to be imposed on foreign individuals deemed to be human rights offenders.

The statement was coordinated by main ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Nagashima Akihisa. He says it can have a strong impact on the upcoming G7 summit.

Nagashima also said more efforts are needed in Japan when it comes to laws that protect human rights.