Japanese lawmakers visit China to patch up ties

A group of Japanese lawmakers traveled to China on Monday with the goal of improving relations following remarks made by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about potential military intervention in Taiwan. Takaichi had suggested Japan could take action in a November interview, a statement that Beijing strongly objected to, as Taiwan is a core issue in Sino-Japanese relations.

In response, China issued warnings to its citizens about traveling to Japan and imposed trade restrictions, which have significantly impacted the supply of rare earth minerals to Japanese companies. This delegation, comprising members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the opposition, represents a cross-party effort to strengthen ties with China.

They are scheduled to meet with high-ranking Chinese officials, marking the first such meeting since Takaichi's comments. Delegation member Shinichi Isa, who is also the public communications chief for the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, expressed hope that this visit could serve as a starting point for dialogue amid the current lack of communication.

LDP Lower House member Gaku Hashimoto, whose father was former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, departed for Beijing to stay for two days, though he did not provide further details. Earlier this year, Hashimoto held talks with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Hua Chunying in Beijing, though Beijing initially denied these meetings had taken place.

Takeshi Iwaya, former Foreign Minister and new head of the Japan Association for the Promotion of International Trade, is set to lead a business delegation to China in late September.