Japan-China Relations

December 25, 2024
Minister Iwaya shaking hands with Mr. Wang
Working Lunch

On December 25 commencing at 11:05 a.m. local time (12:05 p.m. Japan time), for approximately 3 hours, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, during his visit to Beijing in the People’s Republic of China, held a Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (simultaneous interpretation) and a working lunch (consecutive interpretation) with H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. The overview is as follows.

  1. The two foreign ministers, under a broad direction of comprehensively promoting a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests” and building “constructive and stable Japan-China relations” as confirmed by the leaders of both Japan and China, concurred that they would make joint efforts to reduce issues and concerns and increase cooperation and coordination. In addition, to this end, the two ministers confirmed that they would further strengthen communication at various levels and in a wide range of fields, accelerate necessary consultations and work, and make utmost efforts to realize concrete results by utilizing opportunities including high-level communication and interaction, including between the leaders and foreign ministers.
    Furthermore, the two foreign ministers reconfirmed the need for frequent, direct and candid communication between the two foreign ministers in order to advance Japan-China relations in line with the broad direction confirmed by the leaders of the two countries and to achieve concrete progress, and they acknowledged that Minister Iwaya’s visit to China this time was an important step towards this end. The two foreign ministers confirmed that they would hold a high-level economic dialogue on the occasion of Foreign Minister Wang's visit to Japan at the earliest appropriate timing next year and to proceed with concrete coordination.
  2. As reaffirmed by the leaders of Japan and China, the two foreign ministers concurred that they would steadily implement the announcements made in September regarding the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea and China’s import restrictions on Japanese aquatic products and Minister Iwaya called for the early lifting of import restrictions on Japanese aquatic products.
    In addition, the two ministers concurred on the early resumption of consultations between the authorities regarding the resumption of Japanese beef imports and the expansion of imports of Japanese rice. Furthermore, while looking ahead to the Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue, the two ministers concurred on making efforts to advance concrete cooperation in fields such as green economy, including environment and energy conservation, as well as medical care, nursing care and healthcare and geographical indications (GI).
  3. Minister Iwaya expressed Japan's serious concerns about the situation in the East China Sea, including the situation surrounding the Senkaku Islands, and the intensification of Chinese military activities, the buoys, and China’s unilateral development of natural resources, and urged the Chinese side to address these issues. The two ministers confirmed the importance of deepening communication in the field of security and concurred on holding the Japan-China Security Dialogue.
  4. Minister Iwaya, while pointing out that people-to-people exchange and economic activities are the foundation of the Japan-China relationship, once again requested cooperation from the Chinese side in ensuring the safety and security of Japanese citizens, including that of short-term visitors to China. The two foreign ministers confirmed that the relevant authorities would continue to communicate with each other regarding the security and safety of Japanese people, including on the recent incidents in Suzhou and Shenzhen where Japanese children were killed and injured. In addition, Minister Iwaya pointed out that the cases of Japanese nationals being detained and the lack of transparency regarding the “anti-espionage law” are factors that cause Japanese people to be hesitant about traveling to China, and he called for an improvement in transparency and the early release of Japanese nationals who are being detained.
  5. Minister Iwaya expressed Japan’s serious concerns about the situations in the South China Sea and others, and with regards to Taiwan, he stated that Japan is closely monitoring relevant developments, including the recent military activities, and reiterated that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is extremely important for the international community, including Japan.
  6. The two ministers concurred on the early resumption of the Japan-China Press Secretary Consultations, where diplomatic authorities exchange views on how the government should disseminate information and its relationship with the media, with a view to promote mutual understanding between the people of both countries.
  7. The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on regional issues such as the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the response to North Korea, including the nuclear and missile issues and the abduction issue. The two foreign ministers also reaffirmed that Japan and China have an important responsibility in the peace and prosperity of the region and the international community and confirmed to actively engage in dialogue on the regional situation and global issues.

Back to Japan-China Relations