A Japanese trade delegation led by former Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya visited China, signaling Tokyo’s efforts to sustain dialogue amidst ongoing bilateral tensions. The visit comes at a time when Japan-China relations are strained, particularly over security issues linked to Taiwan.
Comprising around 50 members, including business executives, the delegation aims to engage in discussions with senior Chinese officials. Iwaya emphasized the importance of dialogue during these challenging times and expressed his willingness to exchange views with Chinese leaders if the opportunity presents itself.
Relations between the two countries have recently been affected by comments from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Japan’s potential response to a Chinese attack on Taiwan, contributing to the current diplomatic strain.
This visit follows a significant US-China summit in Washington where Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump discussed various topics, including trade and artificial intelligence. The Japanese delegation initially planned their visit earlier but postponed it due to the passing of former Foreign Minister Yohei Kono, who previously led the trade promotion organization.