Japan, China, South Korea meet at geopolitical ‘turning point in history’

The chief diplomats of Japan, China, and South Korea convened in Tokyo on Saturday, aiming to find consensus on East Asian security and economic matters amid rising global uncertainty.

“Considering the progressively worsening global circumstances, I think we could indeed be at a pivotal moment in history,” stated Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya at the beginning of the meeting in Tokyo with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul.

The trio decided to hasten the preparations for a trilateral summit in Japan this year that would also feature discussions on how Tokyo, Beijing, and Seoul can address decreasing birth rates and aging demographics, Iwaya stated in a joint announcement following the meeting.

The initial meeting of the foreign ministers from various countries since 2023 occurs as U.S. President Donald Trump disrupts long-standing alliances, possibly allowing China to strengthen relationships with nations that have historically been aligned with Washington.

“Our three nations have a combined population of nearly 1.6 billion and an economic output exceeding $24 trillion. With our vast markets and great potential, we can exert significant influence,” Wang said. China, he added, wants to resume free trade talks with its neighbours and expand membership of the 15-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

Nonetheless, significant divisions persist. Beijing finds itself in conflict with Tokyo and Seoul over various critical matters, such as its backing of North Korea, its increasing military presence near Taiwan, and its support for Russia in its conflict with Ukraine.

U.S. partners Japan and South Korea, both of which house thousands of U.S. military personnel, agree with Washington’s perspective that China – the second-largest economy globally – presents an increasing threat to regional stability. Cho mentioned he requested China during the meeting to assist in persuading North Korea to renounce its nuclear arsenal.

Iwaya held separate meetings with his counterparts from China and South Korea, including the first high-level economic talks with Beijing in six years. A major concern for Tokyo in the discussions with Beijing is China’s prohibition on Japanese seafood imports following the discharge of wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear facility in 2023.

Iwaya stated he verified a promise from China made in September to permit imports of marine goods and also inquired about increasing imports of Japanese agricultural items, such as beef and rice.