Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held her first meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Gyeongju, South Korea, on November 1, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Takaichi expressed concerns over China's intrusions around the Senkaku Islands, detentions of Japanese nationals, and human rights issues. The leaders confirmed the continuation of their strategic and mutually beneficial relationship.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held approximately 30-minute talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on November 1 in Gyeongju, South Korea, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Takaichi voiced serious concerns over Chinese official ships' intrusions into Japanese waters off the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, arbitrary export controls on rare earths, and unilateral maritime expansion including efforts to establish military outposts in the South China Sea. She also raised issues regarding the detention of Japanese nationals in China for unknown reasons, human rights situations in Hong Kong and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and called for positive action on China's restrictions on importing Japanese seafood and beef.
At the start of the meeting, Takaichi said, “I hope Japan and China will reduce concerns and issues between the two countries and increase mutual understanding and cooperation.” Xi responded, “I would like to maintain talks with you,” adding that “China will work with Japan to move the strategic and mutually beneficial relationship forward and remain committed to building a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship fit for a new era.” Xi referred to Taiwan issues, stating according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry that “Taiwan issues and historical issues should not shake the foundation of China-Japan relations.” Takaichi emphasized, “It is crucial for both sides of the strait to have sound relations” for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
On security, the leaders agreed on the importance of effective crisis management and communication between their defense authorities to prevent accidental clashes between the Self-Defense Forces and the Chinese military from escalating. They also exchanged views on North Korea situations, including the abduction of Japanese nationals. Following the talks, Takaichi told reporters, “I was able to have very substantive and fruitful discussions,” noting, “It is true that Japan and China have concerns and differences in their opinions. This is exactly why it is important for us to have candid talks.”
The meeting occurred despite China's wariness of Takaichi's conservative stance, realized through groundwork like refraining from a Yasukuni Shrine visit and accepting the Chinese side's venue proposal. Takaichi models her China policy on former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's approach of repeated leader-level dialogues.