Japanese lawmakers arrived in Beijing on Monday in an effort to ease strained relations between the two countries. The visit follows controversial comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan, which have triggered diplomatic tensions that are now beginning to affect economic ties.
The visit runs through Thursday and marks the first consultations with senior officials of the Chinese Communist Party since bilateral relations deteriorated late last year.
Tensions escalated after Takaichi suggested in November that Japan could respond militarily if China attacked Taiwan—a self-governing island that Beijing considers its territory. China is highly sensitive on the Taiwan issue and views any questioning of its sovereignty as a red line. In response, Beijing advised its citizens to limit travel to Japan and tightened trade restrictions, including measures believed to disrupt rare earth mineral flows to Japanese companies, adding economic bitterness to the diplomatic standoff.
The delegation includes Gaku Hashimoto, a Lower House member from Takaichi's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). He is accompanied by lawmakers from the opposition Komeito party and the Centrist Reform Union. Hashimoto's office only confirmed that he “left Tokyo for Beijing and will stay for two days.”
Before departing Tokyo, Shinichi Isa, spokesman for the Centrist Reform Union, told reporters: “All communication channels have been cut, and we are starting to see impacts in many areas. I hope to find clues to resume dialogue.” Isa, a former diplomat at Japan's embassy in China, warned earlier this month on social media platform X that even during previous bad periods, officials from both sides maintained contact, but now “all channels between officials and ministries have been severed.” He described the current situation as the worst since diplomatic relations were normalized in 1972.
China's Foreign Ministry said on Friday that “some people with vision from both Japan's ruling and opposition parties” are concerned about the state of relations, hoping to help bring ties back on track, while urging Tokyo to listen to these voices and act to restore normal exchanges between the two countries.
Takaichi has not withdrawn her comments on Taiwan nor responded to the concerns raised. Further exchanges are expected in the coming period. According to Kyodo news agency, former Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya is expected to lead another delegation to China in late September, followed by a group of Japanese business representatives later this year.
