Latest news with #China-Japan
Asia Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Asia Times
Li Qiang's realist pitch seeks to reset Sino-Japan ties
In a moment of diplomatic clarity that quickly gained traction across Chinese and international media, Chinese Premier Li Qiang recently remarked: 'China and Japan are neighbors who cannot be moved. Since we cannot move, we should be good neighbors.' This deceptively simple statement carries a deep sense of geopolitical realism. It reflects Beijing's awareness that proximity is not merely a geographical fact—it is a strategic condition that requires sober diplomacy, especially amid rising regional volatility and heated rivalry with the US. Few bilateral relationships in the Indo-Pacific are as fraught and intertwined as those between China and Japan. Rooted in centuries of interaction, marred by the horrors of 20th-century warfare and shaped by decades of economic symbiosis, the China-Japan relationship has historically and recently swung between wary competition and cautious cooperation. In invoking the idea of immutable geography, Premier Li also hinted at a basic truth: China wants stability with Japan, not out of sentimentality but strategic necessity. 'Cannot be moved' is a blunt admission of reality. From Shanghai to Fukuoka, the distance is less than 800 kilometers. Between them lies the East China Sea—an arena of resource disputes, overlapping air defense zones, and naval brinkmanship, but also a vital artery of commerce and energy transit. Despite maritime tensions, this shared body of water anchors both countries in an unavoidable relationship. Li's appeal to geography recalls the thinking of the late Japanese diplomat Yukio Okamoto, who argued that China and Japan are condemned by fate and physics to coexist—so they must learn to do so constructively. The remark also stands in contrast to nationalist or triumphalist rhetoric that often defines Cross-Strait and East Asian discourse. It acknowledges limits. Neither Beijing nor Tokyo can wish the other away. But geographical realism cannot alone extinguish historical angst. Chinese public opinion continues to be shaped by the memory of Japan's wartime occupation. The Nanjing Massacre, Unit 731, and other atrocities are not distant footnotes in Chinese historiography—they are actively remembered and politically relevant. Occasional visits by Japanese leaders to the Yasukuni Shrine or attempts to revise textbooks often rekindle nationalist anger. Conversely, Japan perceives a more assertive China with increasing alarm. Under former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and now Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Tokyo has accelerated defense reforms, increased military spending, and deepened security cooperation with the United States, Australia and the Philippines. Its participation in the Quad and increased patrolling of disputed waters signal that Japan is preparing for an era of intensified strategic competition. China interprets these developments as part of a US-led containment architecture. However, even as bilateral tensions simmer, China seeks to compartmentalize relations—keeping economic and diplomatic dialogues open even as strategic distrust lingers. It is impossible to discuss Sino-Japanese relations without referencing their vast economic interdependence. Despite all political turbulence, China remains Japan's largest trading partner. Japanese corporations remain deeply embedded in China's automotive, electronics, and high-end manufacturing sectors. Complex supply chains now stretch from Osaka to Chengdu to Southeast Asia. In this context, Premier Li's words also function as a reminder to safeguard economic engagement at a time when US-led decoupling pressures are mounting. The US is encouraging Japan to join the 'Chip 4' alliance to curtail Chinese advances in semiconductors. For Beijing, ensuring Tokyo does not fully align with Washington's techno-nationalist agenda is of paramount importance. Thus, Li's tone suggests both a pragmatic acknowledgment of tensions and an appeal to maintain economic pragmatism. Li's remarks should also be understood in a broader regional context. Both China and Japan are deeply invested in ASEAN—economically and diplomatically. While China promotes its Belt and Road Initiative and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Japan continues to focus on high-quality infrastructure, vocational education and developmental aid. This competition is not inherently zero-sum. In fact, ASEAN can benefit from it—so long as it does not become a theater of strategic polarization. As chair of ASEAN in 2025, Malaysia has an opportunity to play the role of stabilizer. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's emphasis on multipolarity, civilizational dialogue and strategic equidistance aligns well with Li's tone. Track 1.5 diplomacy—semi-official dialogues involving academics, former officials, and policy thinkers—hosted in neutral venues such as Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta, could help China and Japan manage tensions. Such efforts would be particularly valuable on non-traditional security issues such as maritime environmental protection, climate governance and crisis communication protocols in the East China Sea. Ultimately, the future of the China-Japan relationship rests on whether the two sides can convert geographical inevitability into a foundation for stable coexistence. That requires strategic empathy, political maturity and a willingness to restrain nationalist impulses. Li's statement, stripped of bravado and couched in sober realism, offers a certain opening. It signals a potential shift away from US-led zero-sum thinking, at least in bilateral terms. For Japan, the challenge will be to balance its alliance with the United States under Donald Trump while maintaining open communication with Beijing. For China, the task is to build trust—not just through words but through consistent maritime behavior, diplomatic discipline and economic transparency. In the final analysis, the lesson is clear: China and Japan cannot ignore or outflank each other. They can either manage their rivalry or risk being overtaken by it. Geography offers no exit—but it does offer a starting point for dialogue. As Asia braces for an uncertain decade, the world will be watching whether two of its greatest powers can indeed become 'good neighbors.'
Mid East Info
08-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Japan Tech Forum is Back at BEYOND Expo and New Speakers Announced - Middle East Business News and Information
In a world where globalization and digital transformation are increasingly intertwined, Asia has become a powerful engine for technological innovation. As one of the world's foremost tech leaders, Japan continues to maintain its edge across multiple sectors. Co-hosted with ReGACY Innovation Group, BEYOND Expo 2025 will host the Japan Tech Forum on May 22, offering a global platform to explore the latest developments in China-Japan innovation and unlock new growth opportunities. This exclusive gathering will feature a vibrant program of panel discussions and focused on: Strengthening China-Japan technological collaboration Building an integrated innovation ecosystem across Asia Exploring practical strategies and investment opportunities Confirmed speakers include some of the industry's most influential figures: Miura Jun, Consul-General (Ambassador) at the Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong Fu Haofeng, CEO, ReGACY Innovation Group China Taro Yamamoto, Deputy Director, Commerce, Industry, Labor and Tourism Department, Kyoto Prefecture Yasutoshi Nohara, Director, the Okinawa Prefectural Government Hong Kong Representative Office Takenaka Mikio, Vice President, Sony (China); President, Head of Sony Research & Development Center China Yuta Hashimoto, BRICKS FUND TOKYO Co-founder, Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd. Venus Wen, Assistant General Manager Innovative Startups Coordination Department Shenzhen Branch，Mizuho Bank (China), Ltd Ryotaro Nakayama, CEO, Makuake Akio Tanaka, Partner, Headline VC He Jie, Investment Group Director China office Representative, Global Brain Corporation Ichio Cho, Partner, Mizuho Leaguer Investment Ryo Umezawa, Vice President, Vector More speakers will be announced soon. A special highlight of this year's forum is the debut of the Japan edition of 'Fund at First Pitch (FAFP)', where leading Japanese VCs and CVCs will offer live feedback to standout startups from across Asia. This segment serves as a unique gateway to showcase innovation, attract investment, and enter the Japanese market while expanding global visibility. The Japan Tech Forum at BEYOND Expo 2025 is not only a high-level exchange and collaboration platform for Chinese and Japanese tech companies, research institutions, and investors—it is also a 'connector' for both countries' tech ecosystems. Here, breakthroughs will be translated into commercial value, fueling cross-border cooperation and the inclusive benefits of technology. Scan the QR code or click here to join us at BEYOND Expo 2025! Limited-Time Offer: FREE Tickets for Our Community Use promo code BYMEI at checkout.
The Independent
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
China and Japan exchange protests after ‘right-wing extremists' fly plane over disputed islands
Beijing and Tokyo exchanged diplomatic protests after an unknown Japanese group flew a civilian plane over a disputed island in the East China Sea. The Senkaku are a chain of five uninhabited islands and reefs in the East China Sea, located northeast of Taiwan and southwest of Okinawa. They are administered by Japan but claimed by both Taiwan and China, which calls them the Diaoyu islands. The Chinese coastguard said they launched a helicopter to 'expel' a Japanese civilian aircraft that had entered the airspace over the islands on Saturday morning. The head of the Chinese foreign ministry's Asian affairs department, Liu Jinsong, lodged a protest with the chief minister of Japan 's embassy, Yokochi Akira, over the alleged intrusion by 'Japanese right-wing extremists piloting a civilian aircraft'. Mr Liu 'urged the Japanese side to immediately stop illegal infringement activities and take concrete measures to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents'. Japanese authorities said they were investigating a possible connection between the Chinese helicopter's airspace intrusion and a Japanese civilian aircraft flying in the area around the same time. Neither Beijing nor Tokyo provided any specific details about the so-called 'right-wing extremists' who allegedly flew the plane over the disputed islands. The Japanese foreign ministry said that the Chinese helicopter took off from one of four coast guard boats which entered Japan's territorial waters around the Senkaku islands. The helicopter violated Japanese airspace for about 15 minutes on Saturday, the ministry said, adding that it had lodged a "very severe protest" with Beijing. 'The Self Defence Forces responded by scrambling fighter jets,' the ministry said. Japan's vice minister for foreign affairs, Takehiro Funakoshi, issued a 'strong protest' to Beijing over the 'intrusion' and 'violation of Japan's territorial airspace'. This was the first Chinese intrusion of Japanese airspace since a reconnaissance aircraft flew off the southern prefecture of Nagasaki last August. China routinely sends coast guard vessels and aircraft into waters and airspace around the islands, forcing Japan to mobilise its fighter jets. In the past, Japanese right-wing nationalist factions, often loosely organised with some links to militaristic symbolism, have escalated tensions with China through provocative actions. In 1996, the ultranationalist Nihon Seinensha built a lighthouse on one of the disputed islands, sparking widespread protests in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. In the wake of the latest incident, defence ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said: "China demands Japan strictly restrain the activities of its citizens, stop the provocative acts that complicate the situation in the waters and airspace around the Diaoyu islands, and avoid bringing unstable and unsafe factors affecting the overall situation of the development of China-Japan relations.'
Japan Times
22-03-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Japan, China and South Korea foreign ministers meet in Tokyo
Japan, China and South Korea's top diplomats hold talks in Tokyo on Saturday, aiming to bolster cooperation at a time when U.S. trade tariffs are looming over the region. The meeting follows a trilateral summit in May in Seoul where the neighbors agreed to deepen trade ties. On the eve of the gathering, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya had dinner with his South Korean and Chinese counterparts Cho Tae-yul and Wang Yi. They then paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who said the nations have "significant influence and responsibilities for regional peace and prosperity." "Although difficult problems sometimes arise because we are neighboring countries, Japan hopes to engage in dialogues including on issues of concern and build a future-oriented cooperative relationship through pragmatic diplomacy," Ishiba told the ministers. Climate change, aging populations and trade were among the topics to be discussed, as well as how to work together on disaster relief and science and technology, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters. The ministers aim to agree on arranging a trilateral summit within months, Japan's public broadcaster NHK reported. They will also hold bilateral talks Saturday, while Japan and China will have their first so-called "high-level economic dialogue" in six years. "China-Japan relations are currently showing a trend of improvement and development," Mao said. One topic Iwaya highlighted as important ahead of the talks was China's imports of Japanese seafood, which it halted in 2023 after Japan began releasing treated wastewater from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean. China said in September it would "gradually resume" the imports, but this has yet to begin. China and to a lesser extent South Korea and Japan have been hit by tariffs put in place by U.S. President Donald Trump in recent weeks. Patricia M. Kim, a foreign policy fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, said that while "trilateral dialogues have been ongoing for over a decade," this round "carries heightened significance" due to the new U.S. position. "Their leaders are under growing pressure to diversify their options and to seek alternative economic opportunities," she said. "As the three biggest economies in East Asia, it's not surprising that they would look to each other for opportunities," Kim said. Beijing "has been working actively to improve relations with other major and middle powers amid growing frictions with the United States", she said. The summit in May was the countries' first top-level talks in five years and saw the group reaffirm their goal of a denuclearized Korean peninsula, in reference to nuclear-armed North Korea. Seoul and Tokyo typically take a stronger line against North Korea than China, which remains one of Pyongyang's most important allies and economic benefactors. "The upcoming meeting is expected to prioritize economic issues in the wake of the Trump administration's hard push to raise import tariffs," said Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Seoul's Institute for Far Eastern Studies. "With that in mind, the issue of North Korea may be addressed, but it is unlikely to be a top priority."
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Japan, China, South Korea foreign ministers meet in Tokyo
Japan, China and South Korea's top diplomats hold talks in Tokyo on Saturday, aiming to bolster cooperation at a time when US trade tariffs are looming over the region. The meeting follows a trilateral summit in May in Seoul where the neighbours agreed to deepen trade ties. On the eve of the gathering, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya had dinner with his South Korean and Chinese counterparts Cho Tae-yul and Wang Yi. They then paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who said the nations have "significant influence and responsibilities for regional peace and prosperity". "Although difficult problems sometimes arise because we are neighbouring countries, Japan hopes to engage in dialogues including on issues of concern and build a future-oriented cooperative relationship through pragmatic diplomacy," Ishiba told the ministers. Climate change, ageing populations and trade were among the topics to be discussed, as well as how to work together on disaster relief and science and technology, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters. The ministers aim to agree on arranging a trilateral summit within months, Japan's public broadcaster NHK reported. They will also hold bilateral talks Saturday, while Japan and China will have their first so-called "high-level economic dialogue" in six years. "China-Japan relations are currently showing a trend of improvement and development," Mao said. One topic Iwaya highlighted as important ahead of the talks was China's imports of Japanese seafood, which it halted in 2023 after Japan began releasing treated wastewater from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean. China said in September it would "gradually resume" the imports, but this has yet to begin. - Tariff talk - China and to a lesser extent South Korea and Japan have been hit by tariffs put in place by US President Donald Trump in recent weeks. Patricia M. Kim, a foreign policy fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, said that while "trilateral dialogues have been ongoing for over a decade", this round "carries heightened significance" due to the new US position. "Their leaders are under growing pressure to diversify their options and to seek alternative economic opportunities," she told AFP. "As the three biggest economies in East Asia, it's not surprising that they would look to each other for opportunities," Kim said. Beijing "has been working actively to improve relations with other major and middle powers amid growing frictions with the United States", she said. The summit in May was the countries' first top-level talks in five years and saw the group reaffirm their goal of a denuclearised Korean peninsula, in reference to nuclear-armed North Korea. Seoul and Tokyo typically take a stronger line against North Korea than China, which remains one of Pyongyang's most important allies and economic benefactors. "The upcoming meeting is expected to prioritise economic issues in the wake of the Trump administration's hard push to raise import tariffs," said Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Seoul's Institute for Far Eastern Studies. "With that in mind, the issue of North Korea may be addressed, but it is unlikely to be a top priority." kaf-nf-kjk/rsc
