Vientiane, Laos: China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted the ‘critical stage’ of relations between China and Japan during a meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Yoko Kamikawa, on Friday. Their discussions covered a range of contentious issues, including the detention of Japanese nationals in China, import bans on Japanese food products, and restrictions on semiconductor exports.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of a foreign ministers’ gathering organized by the ASEAN bloc in Laos, just before the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum, which focus on regional security.
Recent years have seen strained relations between the two nations due to disputes over territorial claims, trade tensions, and Beijing’s displeasure with Tokyo’s decision to release treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean. However, in recent months, there have been signs of thawing as both Chinese and Japanese officials have engaged in resumed consultative talks.
“China-Japan relations are currently at a critical point: advance or be left behind,” Wang told Kamikawa, as reported by the Chinese foreign ministry.
Wang emphasized that China’s approach to Japan has consistently aimed for stability and continuity, urging Japan to foster an objective and rational view of China and pursue a positive policy towards it.
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In their first direct talks in eight months, Kamikawa strongly advocated for the removal of import restrictions imposed by Beijing on Japanese food products following the Fukushima water release. She also pressed for the prompt release of Japanese detainees in China, noting the significant impact of the arrest of a high-profile executive from Japanese drugmaker Astellas Pharma on business and foreign investment.
“It is extremely important to create an environment in which Japanese nationals and Japanese companies can operate in China with peace of mind,” Kamikawa stated, according to Japan’s foreign ministry.
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Japan, a key ally of the U.S., has worked with other G7 nations to reduce its economic dependency on China in strategic sectors and has aligned with the U.S. on restrictions targeting Beijing’s access to advanced semiconductors. Kamikawa assured Wang that Japan’s semiconductor export controls were not aimed at any particular country and expressed a willingness to maintain open communication with China on the issue.
Both ministers expressed a commitment to enhancing regular communication and have extended invitations to each other to visit their respective countries for continued discussions, as reported by Japan’s foreign ministry.
