Photo/Illutration Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the start of their summit meeting on Nov. 16 (Yuki Shibata)

The leaders of Japan and China met for their first talks in a year on Nov. 16. This face-to-face exchange of candid views made good sense, given the frosty state of ties over Japan’s decision to release treated radioactive water from the stricken Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean and the detention of Japanese nationals in China.

Major unresolved issues threaten to poison bilateral ties because of significant differences between the two powers. As nations with a significant responsibility for regional stability, Japan and China must engage in continued and meaningful dialogue to explore avenues of effective and fruitful cooperation.

Meeting on the sidelines of this year’s summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum held in San Francisco, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed their commitment to fostering a “strategic relationship of mutual benefit” and agreed on maintaining close communication at all levels, including at the top leadership.

This concept of a “strategic relationship of mutual benefit” was first proposed in 2006 by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his visit to China, the first by a Japanese leader in five years. This approach, aimed at leveraging the two countries’ common interests to improve their strained relationship, was later incorporated into the Japan-China joint statement of 2008.

There are clearly many areas where the two nations share common strategic interests. Economic cooperation and how to respond to global challenges like climate change come to mind. However, Tokyo and Beijing need to make significant and tangible efforts to transcend the current state of their bilateral ties, which is far from being mutually beneficial.

Regarding the discharge of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima plant, Kishida called for the immediate lifting of China’s blanket ban on imports of Japanese seafood. The two leaders reportedly agreed to “work together to resolve the issue through discussions and dialogue while holding a constructive attitude.” This impasse should be broken through discussions between experts from both sides based on scientific knowledge.

Kishida also urged Xi to release detained Japanese nationals accused of violating China’s revised anti-espionage law.

The opacity surrounding what constitutes spying activities in China has created considerable anxiety among Japanese businesses and their employees operating there.

Meanwhile, as China struggles to revitalize its faltering economy, it is keen to attract more Japanese corporate investments. Expectations are particularly high among local governments. Without improvement in the situation, the call for mutually beneficial relations could end up becoming an empty slogan.

A year after their meeting in Thailand, the two leaders once again pledged to enhance bilateral communication regarding security matters. However, China has been intensifying its military activities around Japan and ramping up intimidating pressure on Taiwan.

In an apparent response to China’s saber-rattling, Japan is substantially beefing up its fundamental defense capabilities and enhancing defense cooperation with allies and friends like the United States, Australia and the Philippines. In the face of alarming military tensions in the region, diplomatic efforts toward de-escalation and trust-building remain insufficient.

The new hotline between Japanese and Chinese defense authorities, which finally opened this spring, must work effectively.

Equally important is direct communication between the leaders of the two nations. Beyond arranging summit meetings on the sidelines of international conferences, Tokyo and Beijing should also step up efforts to increase opportunities for direct talks between their leaders, including mutual visits.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 18

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