Japan Pays Close Attention to Trump-Xi Summit, Wary of China Courting Trump and Affecting Security

(CNA, Tokyo, 14th, by reporter Tai Ya-chen) As US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet today, the Japanese government is on high alert for the potential impact on the East Asian situation and the Japan-US alliance. Due to Trump's recent friendly attitude towards China, even mentioning "G2" which symbolizes a world order led by the two powers, Japan is concerned that if the US makes concessions to China on regional security issues such as Taiwan, it could impact Japan's national security strategy.

Sankei Shimbun reports that Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated at a press conference this morning that the Japanese government is paying close attention to the US-China leaders' summit, emphasizing that "it is very important that US-China relations contribute to the stability of the international community, including Japan."

However, there is strong caution within the Japanese government that Donald Trump might move further towards China. A senior member of the Liberal Democratic Party pointed out that China's high-profile reception of Trump "likely has the intention of winning him over."

Japan has long relied on the Japan-US alliance to respond to China's continued military expansion in the East and South China Seas. If Trump compromises with China on East Asian issues like Taiwan in exchange for benefits such as China's help in promoting Iran peace talks or expanding US exports to China, Japan could face strategic pressure.

A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs admitted, "For Japan, it's not good if US-China relations are too good, nor if they are too bad."

Since Trump mentioned the "G2" concept on the eve of the US-China summit in South Korea last October, the Japanese government has been actively trying to share its perception of China with the US side. It is known that there were internal discussions in the Japanese government about inviting Trump to visit Japan before his China trip, but it was ultimately abandoned as arranging another leaders' summit was considered unfeasible since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had just met with Trump in March this year.

On the other hand, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who visited Japan on the eve of Trump's China visit, received a high-profile reception from the Japanese government. In addition to Takaichi, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also met with him successively, which is seen as an opportunity to confirm the stance on China with the US side.

The report states that the Japanese government is currently planning to arrange a phone call between Takaichi and Trump as soon as possible after Trump returns from his China visit on the 15th to share relevant information. (Editor: Tien Jui-hua) 1150514