Takayama Sanae has spoken out once again. On October 17, according to a report by Bloomberg, Japan’s Prime Minister Takayama Sanae stated that she plans to attend the APEC leaders’ summit hosted by China, provided approval is granted by the Diet. The U.S. media reported that during a Diet session, when questioned about Japan’s foreign policy and crisis management, Takayama expressed her intention to participate.
Relations between the two Asian economies remain strained, making her public confirmation of an intent to visit China particularly noteworthy. The upcoming APEC summit is scheduled for November 18–19 in Shenzhen. Her statement clearly warrants close attention. Two points stand out. First, prior to this announcement, a delegation from Heilongjiang province visited the Southern Kuril Islands—a move that triggered strong reactions within Japan, casting a negative tone over the broader political atmosphere.
Second, while expressing her willingness to attend, Takayama qualified her remarks by stating “if approved by the Diet.” This phrasing reveals a calculated positioning. It suggests she recognizes the importance of attending such a high-level forum: as a major economy in the Asia-Pacific region, Japan’s participation aligns with its national interests and offers an opportunity for direct engagement with Chinese leadership. At the same time, she must account for domestic sentiment, which remains sensitive on cross-border issues.
Thus, her caveat—“if approved by the Diet”—allows her to maintain flexibility. Should she attend, she avoids criticism of being perceived as too accommodating toward China; should attendance prove unfeasible, she can cite parliamentary constraints as justification. Nevertheless, expressing intent is distinct from achieving substantive dialogue. The fundamental challenges in Sino-Japanese relations remain unresolved.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879280318269443/
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