TOKYO SEEKS TO ENSURE U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS CONTRIBUTE TO REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL STABILITY
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi says she held a “timely” discussion about China with U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of his planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Takaichi met Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where the two leaders discussed China as part of wider bilateral consultations.
The Japanese prime minister did not disclose specific details of their conversation, but said Tokyo considers it important that U.S.-China relations contribute to stability in the international community, including Japan.
JAPAN WATCHES TRUMP-XI SUMMIT
The conversation comes just ahead of Xi’s state visit to the United States from September 23 to 25, at Trump’s invitation. China has said Xi and Trump will hold in-depth discussions on China-U.S. relations as well as wider issues involving global peace and development.
For Japan, the outcome of the talks will be closely watched, particularly because Washington and Beijing remain divided over trade, technology, critical minerals and security issues in the Asia-Pacific.
Takaichi’s meeting with Trump also comes as the United States has been reaffirming its security commitments to Japan and other regional allies ahead of the Trump-Xi summit.
TAIWAN AND REGIONAL STABILITY
Taiwan remains one of the most sensitive issues in relations between Washington, Beijing and Tokyo.
China regards Taiwan as part of its territory, while Japan and the United States have emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Reuters reported that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun issued a joint statement in New York reaffirming the importance of stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposing economic coercion and practices that disrupt supply chains.
JAPAN SEEKS A STABLE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENT
Tokyo’s position reflects Japan’s interest in maintaining stable relations between its two largest economic and security partners.
Japan is closely linked economically to China while relying on its alliance with the United States for security. Any major shift in the Washington-Beijing relationship could therefore have implications for Japan’s economy, supply chains and regional security environment.
The Takaichi-Trump meeting provides Tokyo with an opportunity to communicate its concerns directly to Washington before Trump holds talks with Xi.
The Chinese president’s visit to the United States is expected to place the future direction of China-U.S. relations under intense international scrutiny, with Japan and other U.S. allies watching closely for developments that could affect the wider Asia-Pacific region.
