EDITORIAL | Were Ishiba and Xi Really 'On the Same Page?'

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On November 15, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba held his first meeting since taking office with Chinese President Xi Jinp i ng. They met in Peru's capital of Lima.

During their talks, Japan and China reaffirmed their commitment to advancing a mutually beneficial partnership. They also agreed to work toward a constructive and stable relationship.

In addition, they pledged to ensure the steady implementation of the agreement to resume China's imports of Japanese seafood. China had previously imposed a seafood embargo in response to Japan's release of ALPS treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean.

Ishiba's Self-Assessment

After the meeting, Prime Minister Ishiba expressed satisfaction, happily telling reporters that he felt the two leaders were "on the same page in the discussions." He disclosed that they had agreed to maintain "frequent communication at all levels, including at the summit level, to address pending issues."

However, if Ishiba genuinely believes the two were "on the same page," one might question whether his diplomatic judgment is misaligned.

If "frequent communication" at the summit level includes a state visit by Xi, this would be unacceptable. After all, Xi is responsible for severe human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other minority groups.

No Concrete Outcomes

During the meeting, Ishiba emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. He also expressed Japan's deep concerns over Chinese military actions, including territorial incursions and airspace violations in the East China Sea.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister raised the recent murder of a Japanese child in Shenzhen, calling for enhanced safety measures for Japanese nationals in China. He also demanded the release of detained Japanese citizens.

*The scene where the Japanese schoolboy was attacked. September 18, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. (©Kyodo)*

President Xi's response was noncommittal. Although he stated that China would "ensure the safety of all foreigners, including Japanese citizens," this is merely a fundamental obligation of any government and fails to address Japan's specific concerns.

Nor did Xi provide a timeline for resuming seafood imports, casting doubt on the agreement's progress. One might seriously question Ishiba's judgment in believing the two were "on the same page."

Xi's Strategic Thinking

The strategic partnership between Japan and China aims to expand shared interests despite existing conflicts. This principle was revived by former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Xi when Japan and China resumed formal talks in 2023 after a six-year hiatus. However, is there anything in the current Japan-China affiliation that shows such a relationship is viable?

Xi likely aims to recalibrate his stance on Japan temporarily. He is already anticipating the new United States administration under President-elect Donald Trump in 2024. This appears to be a calculated move to prevent Japan and the US from jointly adopting a tougher stance toward China.

Leaders of the Chinese Communist Party are staunch believers in power. For Japan to assert itself in its dealings with China, it must bolster its national capabilities, including defense, economic resilience, and technological innovation. At the same time, it must reinforce its alliance with the United States.

Without these efforts, diplomatic engagements and handshakes alone will not safeguard Japan's peace, security, and national interests. Ishiba would do well to remember this.

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

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