Japanese and Chinese Ministers Hold Brief Talks at APEC; Japanese Government Emphasizes Importance of Dialogue
Amid deteriorating Japan-China relations, ministers held their first substantive contact in over six months at an APEC dinner. The Japanese government emphasized the importance of dialogue and a calm approach based on national interest.
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- 📰 Published: May 25, 2026 at 17:16
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Amidst deteriorating relations between Japan and China over the past six months, ministerial-level officials from both sides had their first substantive contact last week. The Japanese government emphasized today that it is precisely because there are concerns and issues that exchanging opinions is important, and it remains open to continued dialogue. Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ryosei Akazawa, had a brief conversation with Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao at the welcome dinner for the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting on the 22nd of this month. This was the first substantive contact between ministerial-level officials since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks regarding a 'Taiwan contingency' last November. According to reports by NHK and the Mainichi Shimbun, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, the Japanese government's spokesperson, expressed this position at a morning press conference, adding that the government will 'respond calmly and appropriately from the perspective of national interest.' Regarding Beijing's criticism of the Takaichi administration's push to strengthen defense capabilities as 'new militarism,' Kihara refuted this, stating, 'Japan's exclusively defense-oriented policy remains unchanged, and we are maintaining the minimum necessary defense capabilities. (China's) claims are inappropriate.' Furthermore, Japanese media recently cited multiple diplomatic sources reporting that during the Trump-Xi meeting, Xi Jinping condemned the Takaichi administration's defense buildup as a revival of 'new militarism' and an increasing threat, to which Trump retorted, 'Takaichi is an excellent leader.' In response, Kihara stated, 'I am not in a position to comment in detail on negotiations between third countries,' only noting that after the Trump-Xi meeting, Takaichi revealed after a phone call with Trump that 'the other party has provided significant support to Japan.'
FAQ
What is the outlook for Japan-China relations?
While dialogue is being pursued, deep-seated security concerns suggest that easing tensions will be a long-term process.