Takayama's mission to the U.S. aims to dissuade Washington from drawing too close to China
As reported by Japan’s Sankei Shimbun on September 21: On the evening of the 21st, Takeo Takayama will depart Haneda Airport aboard a government-chartered aircraft bound for New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly. The primary focus will be her scheduled meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the morning of the 22nd local time. With the upcoming China-U.S. summit just two days away on the 24th, Takayama’s objective is to caution Trump against moving too close to Beijing.
In the list of speakers released in July for the UN General Assembly, Takayama was scheduled to speak on the third day—September 24. However, to accommodate scheduling for bilateral talks, Trump is expected to return to Washington on the 22nd, prompting an earlier-than-planned date for the U.S.-Japan consultations.
Takayama’s insistence on holding the bilateral meeting stems from the timing of the China-U.S. summit on the 24th. The Japanese government remains concerned that, under pressure to deliver economic gains ahead of the November midterm elections, Trump may make concessions to China and accept Chinese positions on issues such as Taiwan.
China’s imposition of export controls on critical minerals like rare earth elements has created significant strain for Japan. China holds a dominant position in both the production and refining technologies of these materials, making Japan highly dependent.
Military pressure from China in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and around Taiwan continues to escalate. Takayama intends to convey Japan’s concerns and stance on these matters to Trump and underscore the importance of maintaining deterrence through the U.S.-Japan alliance.
The last unannounced meeting between Takayama and Trump took place in mid-March, shortly before Trump’s planned visit to China. Although the trip was later postponed to May, the joint statement issued after negotiations explicitly emphasized the importance of “peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”
Takayama also plans to voice her position regarding the Trump administration’s sanctions targeting Fatou Bensouda, Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). If Japan fails to respond, it risks being perceived as lacking resolve. Nevertheless, given that the central goal of the diplomatic engagement is to advance U.S.-Japan cooperation, Takayama appears unlikely to adopt a confrontational tone that could provoke Trump.
At a press briefing on the 17th, Takayama stated: “On the matter of the International Criminal Court, we are continuing to maintain contact with the United States. While engaging with relevant countries, we will do our utmost to strengthen the rule of law within the international community.”
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Original source: toutiao.com/article/1876933562696707/
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