Japan has lodged a protest against China over a statement that allegedly misrepresented remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. This protest came to light on Saturday, March 23, 2025, as tensions between the two countries escalated.
According to Kyodo, China's Foreign Ministry claimed Ishiba expressed "respect" for Beijing's position during a recent meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. However, Japan quickly countered this assertion, insisting that no such comments had been made. The Japanese government urged China to remove the incorrect description immediately.
This controversy followed a meeting between Ishiba and Wang that took place on March 22, 2025, in Tokyo. During that discussion, Wang reaffirmed China's positions on several key issues, notably regarding Taiwan and historical matters, and urged Japan to honor political commitments outlined in prior bilateral agreements.
On the same day as the protest, Japan and China conducted a high-level economic dialogue in Tokyo, the first meeting of its kind in six years. Both nations aimed to advance discussions on economic matters and deepen cooperation in various fields. The meeting was attended by Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi and Wang Yi, along with other senior officials from both governments.
The two sides agreed to promote government-private sector cooperation focused on decarbonization and reaffirmed their support for people-to-people exchanges through the upcoming World Expo in Osaka. Additionally, Japan brought up the suspension of seafood imports by China, which had been implemented after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant began discharging treated water into the sea in August 2023. The International Atomic Energy Agency indicated that this action complies with international safety standards.
Japan's request to resume seafood imports was not the only concern raised during the talks. Iwaya also urged China to promptly release Japanese nationals detained in the country and to guarantee their safety and security, as these matters have discouraged Japanese firms from engaging in business operations in China.
Adding to the complexities of bilateral relations, Iwaya expressed concerns regarding the Senkaku Islands, a territorial dispute between Japan, China, and Taiwan. Japan maintains control of the islands, but the situation has been further complicated by reports of increasing military activities by China in the region.
After Saturday's meetings, Iwaya told reporters that the discussions were productive, stating, "Both sides had candid discussions not only on cooperation but also about ways to address challenges and pending issues." Japan emphasizes the importance of a constructive and stable relationship with China, as it is seen as crucial for regional peace and prosperity.
In addition to Japan's dialogue with China, the foreign ministers of Japan, China, and South Korea gathered in Tokyo the same day. They agreed to foster future-oriented collaboration and accelerated efforts to organize a three-way summit as soon as possible. As this year's chair of trilateral meetings, Japan aims to host this summit by the end of the year while also working to stabilize relations with China and keep an eye on political developments in South Korea.
This round of discussions represents a significant diplomatic effort amidst ongoing tensions surrounding territorial and security issues. While Japan is clearly seeking to fortify its economic and diplomatic ties with China, the diplomatic landscape continues to be fraught with complications that necessitate ongoing dialogue and cooperation.
