China, Japan, South Korea Meet in Tokyo for Trilateral Ties

Japanese officials joined South Korean and Chinese foreign ministers in Tokyo to plan a summit based on historical turning point statements from Japan’s Takeshi Iwaya. The recent talks between Japan and its neighbors arise from uncertainty about the United States and its traditional alliances while China attempts to build stronger regional connections. 

During the meeting Wang Yi stressed the three countries generate more than $24 trillion combined output through their joint 1.6 billion population. He wanted free trade talks to restart and to develop the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

While they have common economic motives, important disagreements remain between them. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul of South Korea asked China to support North Korea’s denuclearization measures and stop Russian and North Korean military cooperation. Tokyo and Seoul strongly oppose Beijing’s Taiwan military moves and Russian backing in Ukraine. 

During this meeting the countries examined their common problems related to low birth rates and increasing senior population numbers. Japan prepares to hold official meetings with China to talk about their economic relationship which has not happened since 2016 because China blocked Japanese seafood exports after Japan released water from the Fukushima plant.