World
Japan's foreign minister undertakes diplomatic mission to China
By Zhao Wei  ·  2025-01-06  ·   Source: No.2 January 9, 2025
Chinese Premier Li Qiang (right) meets with Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on December 25, 2024 (XINHUA)

On December 25, 2024, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya embarked on a diplomatic mission to Beijing, the first visit by a Japanese foreign minister to China in 20 months since Yoshimasa Hayashi's visit in April 2023. Set against a backdrop of prolonged tensions in Sino-Japanese relations, the visit was a carefully orchestrated effort to address the complexities with the bilateral relationship.

The discussions encompassed a wide array of issues, from trade agreements to people-to-people exchange initiatives, representing a renewed commitment to collaboration. The visit unfolded amid a confluence of international challenges, with both nations grappling with economic recovery and navigating uncertainties stemming from shifts in U.S. foreign policy under its incoming administration.

For both nations, the visit was more than a gesture, it formed part of a broader strategy to recalibrate a historically fraught relationship, reflecting a shared recognition of regional interdependence and global responsibilities.

Fruitful visit

Appointed in October 2024, Iwaya assumed the role of foreign minister during a period of stagnation in Sino-Japanese relations. His visit to Beijing aimed to implement the leaders' consensus forged on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, Peru, in November 2024, where Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reaffirmed their commitment to fostering bilateral dialogue by maintaining high-level exchanges and making good use of high-level dialogue mechanisms in the fields of economy and culture. Occurring after nearly two years of diplomatic inertia, this endeavor carried significant strategic weight, offering a platform to address shared challenges and mutual priorities.

Key engagements on Iwaya's itinerary included meetings and discussions with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. "Communication and exchange are the first steps in implementing the Lima consensus. Iwaya's visit to China has facilitated a high-level meeting between officials from both nations, laying the groundwork for a potential visit to Japan by Chinese leaders next year," said Chen Zilei, Director of the Research Center for Japanese Economics at the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, in an interview with financial news portal Yicai.com on December 25, 2024.

In addition to facilitating meetings between top officials, Chen noted that Iwaya's visit also signifies a step in strengthening mutual trust between the two foreign ministers and the ministries of the two sides.

That same day, Japan's Foreign Press Secretary Toshihiro Kitamura held a briefing for Chinese media at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing. Kitamura revealed that during their talks, the Chinese and Japanese foreign ministers agreed to hold a ministerial-level China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue. Japan extended an invitation for Foreign Minister Wang to visit Japan in 2025, proposing that the dialogue be convened during his visit. Established in 2007, the dialogue serves as the highest-level exchange mechanism between the two governments in the economic sphere and has been held five times to date, with the most recent session taking place in 2019.

During the briefing, Kitamura repeatedly underscored the importance of strengthening exchange between the Chinese and Japanese people to foster mutual understanding. In November 2024, China resumed its unilateral visa-free policy for Japanese passport holders after a hiatus of four and a half years. During his meeting with Wang, Iwaya expressed gratitude for China's reinstatement of visa-free travel for Japanese citizens and announced Japan's intention to further relax its visa policies to facilitate greater people-to-people exchange between the two nations.

A highlight of the visit was the second meeting of the High-Level Consultation Mechanism on People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges, attended by both ministers, which concluded with the ratification of 10 major initiatives. These measures, aimed at promoting cultural, educational and tourism exchange—including an extension of group travel visas for Chinese citizens visiting Japan—were seen as a reciprocal gesture to China's recent reinstatement of visa-free policies for Japanese nationals.

Additionally, agreements to bolster youth exchange and collaborative academic programs underscored a strategic effort to cultivate goodwill among future generations.

Work in the same direction

In addition to needing to navigate bilateral complexities, Iwaya's visit took place against a backdrop of intricate geopolitical dynamics. Domestically, Japan's ruling coalition faced growing pressure following electoral setbacks, prompting the Ishiba administration to pursue diplomatic breakthroughs. Strengthening ties with China—a key economic partner and regional stakeholder—emerged as a strategic priority to stabilize domestic sentiment and improve economic forecasts. The visit also reflected the administration's acknowledgment of the interconnected nature of regional economic and security challenges.

During his talks with Iwaya, Wang expressed hope that Japan would collaborate with China to maintain the "correct positioning" of their strategic, mutually beneficial relationship and to foster its forward momentum. Wang outlined six proposals to achieve this: recalibrating strategic perceptions, maintaining mutual trust, strengthening communication and dialogue, adhering to win-win cooperation, enhancing cultural exchange, and properly handling disputes and differences.

Iwaya, in turn, emphasized Japan's willingness to build a constructive and stable relationship with China. He reaffirmed Japan's commitment to historical accountability, referencing the Murayama Statement as a cornerstone of Japan's stance on historical issues. He expressed hope for more tangible outcomes that would directly benefit the citizens of both nations.

The Murayama Statement, delivered on August 15, 1995, by then Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama on the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, remains a touchstone in Japan's approach to its wartime history. In this speech, Murayama candidly acknowledged Japan's wartime responsibilities and expressed deep remorse for the "tremendous damage and suffering" inflicted during the war, setting a precedent for Japan's stance on historical reconciliation.

According to Chen, the meeting between the foreign ministers of China and Japan has sparked anticipation about the comprehensive advancement of the China-Japan strategic reciprocal relationship in the future. "China and Japan should first manage their differences and strengthen this strategic reciprocal relationship through pragmatic cooperation. By doing so, bilateral relations can progress in unison and effectively implement the consensus reached by both countries' leaders," Chen said.

Commenting on the series of adjustments in Japan's China policy since the inauguration of the Ishiba administration on October 1, 2024, Chen noted that the interplay of internal and external dynamics has fostered positive momentum in Sino-Japanese relations. "This spirit of 'moving forward together' was absent during the former Fumio Kishida's administration," he added.

Delivering substantive agreements and reaffirming mutual trust, Iwaya's visit to China was a pivotal moment in Sino-Japanese relations, demonstrating the potential for the resumption of a more constructive form of diplomacy.

As 2025 begins, with milestones such as the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II on the horizon, the groundwork laid during Iwaya's visit holds the promise of transformative progress. While formidable challenges remain, the visit's achievements underscore the enduring importance of dialogue and strategic foresight in fostering regional stability and cooperation.

(Print Edition Title: A Warm Visit in Winter)

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson

Comments to zhaowei@cicgamericas.com

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