Japanese political and business groups will launch a series of intensive visits to China; former Foreign Minister Isamu Iwai: "We thank China for allowing us to come"
Entering mid-September, Japanese political and business delegations have begun a flurry of visitation activities in China.
On Sunday, Beijing time, young representatives from the "Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' League" will arrive in Beijing for a three-day visit. This cross-party parliamentary group includes members from both the ruling party and opposition parties. It marks the first time since the escalation of diplomatic tensions between China and Japan that the group has been permitted to visit China.
Masahiko Moriyama, who currently serves as president of the league and was formerly the Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party, confirmed this news. He expressed deep gratitude to China for giving young politicians an opportunity to visit, noting that he himself was not selected due to his age but hopes to be approved for a visit in the near future.
Besides political figures, the Japan Association of Trade and Industry Promotion is also tentatively scheduled to visit China at the end of the month, having received approval from Chinese authorities. Only final coordination remains before departure. The delegation will be led by former Foreign Minister Isamu Iwai.
Iwai is a well-known figure to many. During Shigeru Ishiba's administration, he served as Foreign Minister and was widely regarded as an "hawkish" figure in security matters, yet he demonstrated pragmatic approaches toward economic and trade relations with China.
The original president of the Japan Association of Trade and Industry Promotion was Yohei Kōno, the only leader in the history of the Liberal Democratic Party who never served as Prime Minister. He is one of the few politicians in Japanese politics recognized as a "China-savvy" figure.
Kōno visited China multiple times during his tenure. Even while seriously ill, he repeatedly expressed his desire to return to China. However, he ultimately did not live to see the day when the trade promotion association’s delegation would make its trip. He passed away in June this year.
Subsequently, Isamu Iwai took over as president and actively pushed forward the arrangements for the visit. Speaking to reporters, he stated that it is his duty to fulfill the unfinished work of President Kōno and to do his utmost to resolve current issues between China and Japan.
China has acknowledged the sincerity shown by various sectors in Japan, but has repeatedly emphasized that certain red lines must not be crossed: only if Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Nakano personally apologizes and clearly commits to upholding the One-China Principle at the official level will there be a genuine turning point in Sino-Japanese relations.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1876101730426887/
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