Recent changes in global geopolitics have led to relations between states, especially in East Asia, becoming increasingly important. In this context, essential issues between China and Japan were discussed at the 6th China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue held in Tokyo on March 22, 2024.
The most crucial issue the Japanese government has brought to the agenda regarding competition in maritime areas has been China’s ships off the coast of Japan.[1] This development is considered a serious threat to Japan’s national security. Tensions around the Senkaku Islands have led Japan to intensify its military and diplomatic efforts to defend its sovereign rights in this region. Since Japan’s security is directly linked to the control of these maritime areas, tensions in the region endanger the country’s strategic interests.
At the foreign ministers’ meeting, Japan also brought up China’s detention of Japanese citizens.[2] Japan considers this action a direct threat to national security and a violation of its sovereign rights. These detentions by China have particularly increased tensions in diplomatic relations, and the Japanese government has clearly stated that such actions are against international law. However, China’s failure to respond positively to these concerns reveals how difficult it is to resolve diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Failure to resolve these issues through diplomatic means could pave the way for a greater risk of regional conflict in the future.
The Japanese government’s call to China reveals how interconnected regional relations and global stability are. As a reminder, after Japan released purified water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean, China banned seafood imports. In the last meeting, Japan requested that China resume these imports. However, China’s reluctance to give a definite timetable shows how deep the uncertainty and crisis of confidence in economic relations between the two countries have become.[3]
Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya’s statements carry an essential message for the progress of relations between Japan and China. Iwaya emphasized that in response to China’s reluctance to resume imports, both countries must agree for this process to progress. Iwaya’s call for China to take early steps to resume imports reveals the importance of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The statements of Wang Yi, a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China, are of great importance in the context of the global economy and regional security. Wang associated the concepts of “unilateralism and protectionism” with criticism of US President Trump’s policies in particular and emphasized that economic cooperation between China and Japan plays a critical role in global stability.[4] This factor affects not only Japan-China relations but also regional security dynamics and the future of international economic relations from a broader perspective.
Wang’s attention to the profound changes in the global economic system, the increasing unilateral protectionism, and the decline of economic globalization reveal how important it is for major economic powers around the world to properly understand each other and fulfill their responsibilities. His emphasis on China and Japan stepping up cooperation to mutual benefit is not only about the two countries’ economic interests but also about the sustainability of global trade and the healthy progress of long-term economic relations.
These statements make a strong call for cooperation, essential for the global economy to achieve sustainable development goals. China and Japan need to be more active in ensuring global economic stability by increasing collaboration. Wang Yi also advocated that the two countries should cooperate on issues such as artificial intelligence, digital economy, and environmental protection.[5]
The Taiwan issue was also discussed in the talks. Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya emphasized that they oppose changing Taiwan’s status through unilateral force or pressure. This statement symbolizes Japan’s determined stance in preserving Taiwan’s current status. Japan’s stance on this issue is essential for protecting the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region. Japan believes that Taiwan’s status quo cannot be changed unilaterally and that such a change would seriously threaten regional stability. Such statements also reflect a broader strategy in Japan’s security policies. Japan will be directly affected by any change in the status quo in the region.
As a result, relations between Japan and China are not limited to economic cooperation but also significantly impact a wide range of issues such as regional security, diplomatic relations, and global financial stability. Both sides should accelerate collaboration to solve the problems mentioned above. Building mutual trust between China and Japan will create a more solid economic and security foundation at both regional and global levels.
As a result, relations between Japan and China are not limited to economic cooperation but also significantly impact a wide range of issues such as regional security, diplomatic relations, and global financial stability. Both sides should accelerate collaboration to solve the problems mentioned above. Building mutual trust between China and Japan will create a more solid economic and security foundation at both regional and global levels.
[1] “Japan-China Meetings Yield No Breakthroughs on Political Issues, Highlight Difficulty of Resolving Bilateral Concerns”, The Japan News, https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250323-244835/, (Date Accession: 24.03.2025).
[2] Ibid.
[3] “Japan, China to Promote Talks on Resuming Marine Imports; 2-Way Ministerial Economic Talks Held for 1st Time in 6 Years”, The Japan News, https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250323-244819/, (Date Accession: 24.03.2025).
[4] Ibid.
[5] “China, Japan hold sixth high-level economic dialogue”, Xinhua, https://english.news.cn/20250322/2888da457cca4832a04fde00f168fc92/c.html, (Date Accession:24.03.2025).
