TOKYO. Foreign ministers from Japan, China, and South Korea met to discuss strengthening trilateral cooperation in key areas such as aging populations, declining birth rates, natural disaster response, and the green economy. The meeting, however, took place amid increasing geopolitical tensions.
At a joint press conference following the talks, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya stated that he, along with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, had agreed to promote mutual understanding and trust while addressing shared multi-generational concerns. Their goal, he said, was to gain broader support for trilateral cooperation.
Iwaya underscored his concerns about North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, as well as its growing military cooperation with Russia, calling them serious threats. He stressed the importance of achieving full denuclearization of North Korea by United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Additionally, Iwaya reiterated Japan’s condemnation of Russia’s war on Ukraine, stating, “There is no place in the world for unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force,”—a subtle but pointed remark regarding China’s increasing assertiveness in the region.
Wang, on the other hand, emphasized China’s support for establishing a regional economic framework. He proposed resuming talks on a financial agreement among the three countries and expanding the 15-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). He noted that trilateral cooperation in technology and climate exchange would “serve as a key driving force for East Asian cooperation.”
Trilateral Summit and Economic Talks
Saturday’s meeting also focused on preparations for a trilateral leaders’ summit later this year, against the backdrop of political and economic uncertainty at home and challenges posed by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Japan, which has historical and territorial disputes with both China and South Korea, viewed the meeting as a diplomatic achievement. Iwaya expressed his intent to accelerate efforts for the proposed summit, which is expected to take place in Japan later this year.
Later that day, delegations from Japan and China held their first high-level economic dialogue since April 2019. The meeting included dozens of officials from finance, economy, transportation, environment, health, and labor ministries, reflecting the breadth of bilateral cooperation.
Wang stressed the importance of expanding cooperation into new fields and enhancing communication, saying that doing so is crucial for maintaining “comprehensive and mutually strategic relations” between Japan and China. However, he also warned about growing global economic challenges, criticizing unilateralism, protectionism, and the increasing politicization of science and technology—an apparent rebuke of Trump-era policies.
Japan-China Relations and the Fukushima Seafood Ban
Following the talks, Iwaya informed reporters that Japan and China had acknowledged progress in their ongoing negotiations regarding China’s ban on Japanese seafood imports. Beijing has prohibited Japanese seafood since August 2023, following the release of treated radioactive wastewater from the tsunami-damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
Meanwhile, Iwaya and Cho also held separate discussions, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining open communication and resolving bilateral disputes. They reiterated their shared goal of ensuring North Korea’s complete denuclearization and strengthening trilateral cooperation with the United States in response to global security concerns.
Despite existing tensions, Japan and China agreed in December to improve relations, even as they continue to navigate disputes over territorial claims in the East China Sea and issues related to wartime history. The latest trilateral meeting underscores ongoing efforts to balance cooperation with regional stability.
Carlo Juancho FuntanillaFrontend Developer, WordPress, Shopify
Contributing Editor
AMA ACLC San Pablo
- Carlo Juancho Funtanillahttps://tutubi.ph/author/carlojpf/
- Carlo Juancho Funtanillahttps://tutubi.ph/author/carlojpf/
- Carlo Juancho Funtanillahttps://tutubi.ph/author/carlojpf/
- Carlo Juancho Funtanillahttps://tutubi.ph/author/carlojpf/
