Japan Plans to Send METI Minister to APEC Meeting in China this May

Taipei, April 25 (CNA) Kyodo News reported that the Japanese government is coordinating a plan to send Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa to attend the APEC Trade Ministers' Meeting in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, from May 20 to 23. This would be the first visit by a Japanese cabinet member to China since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made remarks regarding a 'Taiwan contingency.' Sources suggest that Akazawa may seek a private meeting with high-ranking Chinese officials. This move aligns with a broader trend of private sector efforts to improve relations, including planned visits by the Japan Association of Corporate Executives and other economic organizations. China, as this year's APEC host, will lead discussions on 'Building an Asia-Pacific Community and Promoting Shared Prosperity.' Discussions may also touch upon pending issues such as China's export controls on dual-use items from Japan, which were tightened in January following Takaichi's comments.