Japan trade minister holds brief talks with Chinese counterpart amid diplomatic row
Akazawa said he sought broader talks with Wang as Beijing’s retaliatory rare earth curbs and travel warnings deepen the diplomatic dispute.
- On Saturday, Japanese Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa confirmed no formal bilateral talks with China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao occurred during APEC ministerial meetings in Suzhou, though the two shared a brief conversation before a Friday dinner.
- Tensions between the two countries escalated in November after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a response from Tokyo, prompting Beijing to adopt retaliatory measures.
- Beijing has restricted shipments of heavy rare earths for at least four months, using control over critical minerals as diplomatic leverage; these materials are vital for producing weapons and electric cars.
- During APEC ministerial meetings, Akazawa urged exporting nations to rectify arbitrary rare earth export controls, though he deliberately did not name any specific country.
- Akazawa remains the most senior Japanese official to visit China since the diplomatic row began, though a formal meeting would have marked the highest-level engagement between the two nations since the dispute erupted.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Japan’s Akazawa Has Brief Talk With China Commerce Minister Wang
Japanese Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao had a brief chat on Friday, the first ministerial-level exchange of words between the two nations since a diplomatic standoff started in November.
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Japan and China Maintain Cautious Diplomatic Contact Amid Deepening Trade Tensions
Japan’s Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa said Saturday that no formal bilateral meeting took place with China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ... The post Japan and China Maintain Cautious Diplomatic Contact Amid Deepening Trade Tensions first appeared on [your]NEWS.
The Japan Times
Japan trade minister holds brief talks with Chinese counterpart amid diplomatic row
Trade minister Ryosei Akazawa is the most senior Japanese official to visit China since a diplomatic dispute between the two countries erupted in November.
Asia Trade Conflict: 7 Shocking Risks for Markets Tokyo 2026
Tokyo, Japan – May 23 – Brussels Morning Newspaper — Asia trade conflict concerns returned to global headlines after Japan’s trade minister held brief discussions with his Chinese counterpart during a period of escalating diplomatic tension between the two Asian powers. The short but closely watched meeting reflected growing efforts to prevent economic disputes from further destabilizing […]
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