A bipartisan delegation of Japanese lawmakers on Monday began a four-day visit to China, which could be a cautious step toward resuming political dialogue after relations deteriorated due to last year’s statements by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan.
The group of legislators is expected to meet with high-ranking officials from the International Department of the ruling Communist Party of China, as well as with industry representatives, according to a person familiar with the trip’s planning. However, contacts between the parliamentarians of the two countries are unlikely to have a significant impact on the resumption of official relations between the governments.
Tensions between Japan and its largest trading partner have persisted since November of last year, when Takaichi suggested that Japan might use military force in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. In response, Beijing accused Japan of creating a military threat to the region and urged its citizens to refrain from traveling to the country. Additionally, China strengthened export controls on dual-use goods—products that can be used for both civilian and military purposes.
Japanese media, including the television channel Nippon TV, were the first to report on the upcoming visit, citing several sources. The delegation includes Gaku Hashimoto from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Shinichi Isa from the opposition party “Centrist Alliance of Reforms.” Hashimoto, who is not part of Takaichi‘s government, also visited Beijing in June to participate in an event dedicated to supply chains.
In his post on X, Isa described relations between Beijing and Tokyo as “the worst since 1972,” noting that government, business, cultural, and youth exchanges have “completely ceased.” He stated that “the continuation of this situation in no way serves the national interests of either Japan or China.” According to Isa, during discussions with fellow parliamentarians, they concluded that under any circumstances, it is necessary to maintain the possibility of dialogue between the two countries, so they decided to propose a visit to China to exchange views.
Isa’s post also confirmed that the trip was an initiative of the parliamentarians themselves, not the result of an invitation from the International Department of the CPC, as previously reported, including by NTV.
Searching for ways to de-escalate
Jeremy Chan, a senior analyst on China and Northeast Asia at Eurasia Group, believes that the delegation “is unlikely to significantly improve bilateral relations, but it is certainly a positive signal that representatives of the Chinese system are cautiously seeking ways to de-escalate.” He added that this could also be an indirect acknowledgment by Beijing that its pressure campaign on Tokyo has backfired, and Takaichi is likely to remain in office for at least another year.
Several attempts by the Japanese side to restore contacts with China have faced difficulties or have been downplayed by Beijing. In January, an influential group of Japanese leaders postponed a planned visit to Beijing. For the first time in over 13 years, political confrontation prevented the annual mission of the group aimed at developing economic ties.
Last month, Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimits Motegi stated that he had accidentally met with his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting in Manila. Spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lin Jian later stated that China “had no agreements” with Japanese representatives at the summit. In May, Japan’s Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa reported that he had briefly spoken with China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao on the sidelines of a regional meeting of trade leaders in Suzhou. Later, Chinese officials denied that such a conversation had taken place.
A visit to China by a Japanese delegation, organized by the Japan Association for the Promotion of International Trade and planned for June, was postponed due to the death of the organization’s head and former Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono. It has now been rescheduled for the second half of September.
Possible prospects for improvement
Meanwhile, a possible positive signal for bilateral relations was the appointment of Japan’s Consul General in the southwestern Chinese megacity of Chongqing. The position had been vacant for about eight months amid escalating tensions. On August 4, it was filled by Shigehiro Nishiumi.
The APEC leaders’ summit, scheduled for November in Shenzhen, could also be an opportunity to reset relations, especially if a bilateral meeting between Xi and Takaichi takes place. In July, Tetsuro Homma, head of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China, stated that the APEC summit could also be an opportunity to resume business contacts. Homma then told journalists: “While I cannot say with certainty when exchanges will resume, I would like to move forward, using any opportunities we have.”
Source: Bloomberg
