The Japan Association to Promote International Trade Plans Visit to China in September

According to multiple sources cited by Kyodo News on the 8th, the Japan Association to Promote International Trade (JAPIT), serving as a window for trade and economic exchanges with China, is currently coordinating the formation of a delegation to visit China in late September. Originally scheduled for June, the trip was postponed following the death of former House of Representatives Speaker Hatoyama Yohei, who served as chairman. Former Foreign Minister Isamu Iwai is expected to assume the chairmanship shortly.

The report notes that since Prime Minister Sanae Hasegawa's "Taiwan Incident" statement in the Diet last November, relations between Japan and China have deteriorated, resulting in stagnation not only in government-to-government dialogue but also in economic and cultural exchanges. The upcoming visit is closely watched as a potential breakthrough to restart dialogue and repair bilateral ties.

According to sources, after internal procedures within JAPIT, Iwai is expected to officially take office as chairman as early as this month. The organization is already coordinating arrangements for a delegation led by Iwai to visit China from September 20 to 23.

The report states that JAPIT traditionally sends delegations to China to hold meetings with Chinese leadership. The last such visit occurred in June of last year, when the delegation met with Premier Li Qiang of the State Council. This year’s plan had originally been for a delegation of about 50 people, led by Hatoyama, to visit China from June 21 to 24, but it was postponed following Hatoyama’s passing on June 8.

Subsequently, a small group including Acting Chairman Hashimoto Taku, former Vice Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, visited China and held talks with Deputy Foreign Minister Hu Chunying on June 22. The Japanese side expressed its desire to revisit China in the form of a formal delegation, which Hu welcomed.

According to sources, Hatoyama, due to his advanced age, had previously informed those around him that he wished to step down as chairman after completing the June visit. On the other hand, Iwai had visited China as foreign minister in December 2024, holding talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1870204522753027/

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