Photo/Illutration Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, far left, holds a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, far right, on Nov. 15 in Lima on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. (Pool)

LIMA--Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba held his first meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping here on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

“We were able to have an exchange of views from a perspective of the larger picture,” Ishiba told reporters after the Nov. 15 session. “While there are many differences of opinion between Japan and China, we did agree to continue to hold meetings in the future.”

The prime minister pledged to work to reduce outstanding problems and issues by planning mutual visits or frequent discussions at various levels, “including at the very top.”

Ishiba said he passed on to Xi his deep concerns about China’s growing military and maritime presence, citing intrusions into Japanese airspace as well as in the East China Sea close to the disputed Senkaku Islands, which are claimed by both countries.

The two leaders also confirmed that Beijing would work toward resuming imports of Japanese seafood based on a September agreement between the two nations. China slapped a blanket ban on seafood imports after Japan in August 2023 began releasing treated contaminated water from its crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.

Speaking with reporters, Ishiba said: “It is very important that Xi himself spoke about this. I once again strongly realized the importance of leaders holding direct talks.” 

Ishiba also touched upon the recent fatal stabbing of a schoolboy on a street near a school for Japanese children in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, and asked Xi to implement measures for the protection of Japanese nationals living in China.

Xi said measures would be taken to ensure the safety of all foreigners, including Japanese.

Prior to his meeting with Xi, Ishiba met with U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol.

The three leaders agreed to set up a trilateral secretariat to promote closer cooperation among their nations to deal with provocative acts by North Korea, among other issues.

One aim of the new secretariat is to prepare a framework for trilateral cooperation before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. This is because Trump has never shown enthusiasm for multilateral approaches to important issues, such as global warming.

At the outset of the meeting, Biden said: “We’ve now reached a moment of significant political change. I’m proud to have helped be one of the parts of this partnership, and I think it’s built to last. That’s my hope and expectation.”

Ishiba said he hoped to pursue close cooperation among the three nations to deal with a range of issues, including North Korea, by utilizing the new secretariat.

Yoon said the secretariat would provide the foundation for unwavering cooperation in the future.

Ishiba also met separately with Biden and they agreed to continue to maintain close cooperation to strengthen the longstanding Japan-U.S. relationship. They also agreed to continue working closely to develop the network of like-minded nations.

Among others, this would include Japan, the United States and South Korea.

(This article was written by Shino Matsuyama and Ryo Kiyomiya.)

Related News