On Saturday, the foreign ministers of Japan, China, and South Korea met in Tokyo for Trilateral Talks to discuss important issues like denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and to find common ground on challenges such as aging populations, low birth rates, natural disasters, and cultural exchanges. This meeting comes amid rising tensions in the region.
During a joint news conference after their discussions, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya emphasized the need for cooperation among the three countries. He expressed concerns about North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programs, as well as its collaboration with Russia, viewing these as threats to regional security. Iwaya stressed that North Korea’s complete denuclearization is essential and should be pursued according to U.N. Security Council resolutions.
Lwaya also condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, stating that there is no justification for changing borders through force—a subtle reference to China’s increasing assertiveness in the region.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted the importance of building a cooperative regional economy and suggested that the three nations work together on various issues like technology and climate change to strengthen East Asian cooperation.
The meeting aimed to set the stage for a leaders’ summit later this year, especially as all three countries face political and economic uncertainties at home. This trilateral gathering is particularly noteworthy for Japan, which has historical disputes with both China and South Korea. The last similar meeting occurred in South Korea last year.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul noted that the ongoing global crises make their cooperation more crucial than ever. He pointed out that working together on shared challenges could serve as a model for international collaboration.
On Saturday, Japan and China planned to hold their first high-level economic talks since April 2019. Iwaya and Wang were also scheduled for separate discussions with Cho.
Japan and South Korea have strengthened their ties due to shared concerns about China’s growing regional influence. In December, Japan and China agreed to improve their relationship despite ongoing territorial disputes, including claims over uninhabited islands and China’s conflicts in the South China Sea.
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