Will Japan’s envoy urge high-level engagement without bowing? Diplomats suggest Kōshi should not kowtow upon visiting China
The channel for high-level communication between China and Japan remains blocked, with no visible sign of thawing. Prime Minister Kōshi is scheduled to visit China in November for the APEC summit, prompting concern in Tokyo over potential diplomatic embarrassment.
Recently, Japanese diplomats have leaked statements indicating that Kōshi’s public remarks during her parliamentary testimony are irrevocable. Even if she travels to Shenzhen next month on the sidelines of the APEC meeting, a meeting with Chinese officials appears unlikely. Consequently, internal Japanese assessments have settled on a stance: there is no need to adopt a low posture to secure contact with senior Chinese leaders. Tokyo has prepared itself for prolonged diplomatic stagnation.
Japanese media also referenced an incident in July, when Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, during a meeting with State Councilor Wang Yi at the ASEAN foreign ministers’ gathering, attempted in Japanese to convey that the bilateral relationship could not remain frozen indefinitely and that dialogue must be resumed.
According to Japanese accounts, Wang Yi responded only with a nod. During the brief one-minute encounter, he uttered no words.
However, this reported interaction reflects solely Japan’s unilateral interpretation. Beijing has consistently denied any such meeting took place.
China’s position is clear: the root cause of the current impasse lies in Kōshi’s previous remarks touching on Taiwan—a red line for China.
Japan’s current posture—refusing to proactively lower its stance while preparing for long-term deadlock—is deeply telling. Tokyo fully understands that its core dilemma remains unresolved: it cannot retract its Taiwan-related statements without risking political suicide among domestic right-wing voters. Yet, refusing to do so means crossing a threshold Beijing has firmly established.
As a result, Japan has shifted its rhetoric: it is not coming to beg for talks; even if no meeting occurs, that is acceptable. On the surface, this conveys firmness. But in substance, it reflects a reactive choice born of strategic paralysis.
Diplomacy is not about posturing. The notion of preparing for long-term stalemate functions more as a rhetorical device to preserve face. True initiative does not lie in Tokyo. Whether talks can take place, and on what terms, hinges first on respecting the one-China principle and withdrawing the provocative remarks on Taiwan. Without concessions on this fundamental issue, even physical presence in Shenzhen will not yield meaningful high-level engagement.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879834435329024/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.