Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, had their first Japan-U.S. Alliance in Phone Call; No Discussion on Status of Forces Agreement”>phone conversation
on Wednesday. Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to promoting a mutually beneficial strategic relationship between Japan and China. Iwaya, who recently assumed office, expressed his dedication to ensuring that the people of both countries can experience the advantages of bilateral ties. Wang acknowledged Japan’s new cabinet’s active efforts in fostering stable relations between the two nations.During the discussion, Iwaya requested detailed information from Wang regarding the fatal stabbing incident involving a Japanese schoolboy in China last September. They agreed to maintain close communication to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Additionally, Iwaya expressed serious concerns about recent Chinese military activities and demanded explanations.
The topic of Taiwan was also addressed during the conversation. Iwaya emphasized that he closely monitors developments in Taiwan, including its military situation. In response, Wang urged Japan to adhere to the “One China” principle.
Furthermore, both ministers exchanged views on Japan’s plan to release tritium-containing treated water from the damaged Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant into the sea. Iwaya called upon China to resume imports of Japanese fishery products promptly.
This phone call marks an important step towards strengthening diplomatic ties between Japan and China under their new leaderships. The ministers’ discussions covered various significant issues affecting both countries’ interests and highlighted their commitment to maintaining open lines of communication for future cooperation and collaboration.