The Japan-China Economic Association, comprising Japanese business groups including Keidanren, has announced the postponement of a planned delegation to China in January. The decision stems from China's heightened opposition to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on a Taiwan contingency, complicating arrangements for meetings with officials. This marks the first such disruption in over 13 years due to political tensions between Asia's two largest economies.
The Japan-China Economic Association, formed by Japanese business groups including the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), announced on December 31, 2025, that it has postponed sending a delegation to China originally scheduled for January. The visit, set for January 20, was to include around 200 business leaders heading to Beijing, but arrangements for meetings with Chinese government officials proved challenging.
The postponement follows China's intensified opposition to Japan after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments on a potential Taiwan contingency. The association noted difficulties in contacting government agencies, with no rescheduled date decided yet.
This annual mission to promote economic exchange between Asia's two largest economies has run for more than 13 years without such political interruptions. The halt signals Beijing's ongoing frustration with Takaichi's Taiwan remarks, potentially chilling commercial ties. As tensions spill over into business, Japanese executives are watching developments closely.
