What impact does Koichiro Koike's death have on Japan-China relations?

Koike was respected by China as a 'long-time friend,' so his passing may lead to lost dialogue opportunities and further hinder efforts to improve bilateral ties.

Why was the Japan-China economic delegation's visit postponed?

China could not arrange meetings with top leaders, making key agenda items unfeasible, forcing the delegation to delay the visit.

Who was Koichiro Koike?

A former LDP president and Speaker of the House, Koike was a key figure in Sino-Japanese friendship, influential in both economic and diplomatic spheres.

What are the main reasons for the deterioration in Japan-China relations?

China criticized Japan's Prime Minister for remarks on 'Taiwan contingencies,' freezing not only government talks but also economic and cultural exchanges.

Are there possibilities for improving Japan-China relations in the future?

China has called for inheriting Koike's legacy, suggesting economic cooperation and supply chain dialogues could become avenues for reconciliation.

Koichiro Koike Passes Away; Japan-China Economic Delegation Postpones Visit to China

Published Jun 13, 2026 12:26 PM ・ Updated Jun 18, 2026 6:31 PM ・ 5 min read ・ Source: CNA (Central News Agency)

Following the death of former LDP leader and House of Representatives Speaker Koichiro Koike, the Japan-China Economic Promotion Association has postponed its planned visit to China, originally scheduled for November 21.

(Taipei, 13th) According to Japan's Kyodo News, after Koichiro Koike, former president of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, passed away on the 8th due to pancreatic cancer, the Japan-China Economic Promotion Association, of which he was president, has altered its planned visit to China scheduled for November 21. The Chinese side informed that high-level meetings with Chinese leadership would be difficult to arrange, prompting the delegation to postpone its Beijing visit.

The report states that amid a prolonged deterioration in Sino-Japanese relations, Japan had hoped to use Koike—regarded by China as a 'long-time friend'—and economic dialogue as a breakthrough to repair bilateral ties. However, this prospect is now clouded.

The delegation had planned to visit China in conjunction with the 'China International Supply Chain Promotion Expo' held in Beijing from November 22 to 26. The goals included reaffirming the importance of Sino-Japanese economic cooperation and urging improvements regarding China's export controls on critical minerals to Japan. However, coordination of key agenda items has reportedly become difficult.

As a longstanding window for Japan-China trade and economic exchange, the association typically organizes delegations that meet with top Chinese leaders. The last such meeting occurred in June last year, when the delegation met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

China criticized Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's parliamentary remarks last autumn regarding 'Taiwan contingencies,' resulting in a freeze not only in ministerial-level government dialogues but also in economic and cultural exchanges.

In response to Koike's passing, Zhao Leji, Chairman of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee, sent a condolence message to the bereaved family, calling Koike a 'long-time friend of the Chinese people' who had long dedicated himself to Sino-Japanese friendship. Zhao expressed hope that Koike's legacy would be inherited and contribute positively to restoring Sino-Japanese relations to a normal track. (Editors: Zhu Jianling / Zhou Huiying) 1150613

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Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
Category: Taiwan

Koichiro Koike Passes Away; Japan-China Economic Delegation Postpones Visit to China

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