Top diplomats from Japan and China meet in South Korea ahead of 3-way regional talks

Senior diplomats from Japan and China convened in South Korea ahead of an upcoming trilateral dialogue, focusing on resolving several pressing issues, notably China’s embargo on Japanese seafood, which has inflicted substantial damage on Japanese exporters.

The meeting, held in the southern port city of Busan, featured Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. This engagement holds significant importance as it marked their first face-to-face encounter since Kamikawa assumed office in September. During their discussions, both diplomats expressed the gravity of the situation and affirmed their commitment to initiate security and economic talks, although the specifics were not disclosed.

Notably, this meeting followed their recent encounter in San Francisco, which took place during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. During that rendezvous, a tentative agreement was reached to alleviate tensions stemming from China’s ban on Japanese seafood. This embargo was implemented following the release of treated radioactive wastewater into the sea from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, which occurred on August 24. Japan contends that the discharged water adheres to stringent international safety standards, with the International Atomic Energy Agency confirming its minimal environmental and health impact. Conversely, China characterizes it as “nuclear-contaminated water.”

On the horizon, the foreign ministers of Japan, South Korea, and China are scheduled to convene on Sunday to lay the groundwork for a trilateral summit involving their leaders. Such high-level interactions have been scarce since 2019, primarily due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the intricate web of issues impacting their relationships. While Japan, South Korea, and China share deep economic and cultural ties, their interactions have been marked by intermittent challenges stemming from historical conflicts, the U.S.-China geopolitical rivalry, and the ongoing concerns surrounding North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.

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