Beijing: China on Tuesday urged Japan to ‘earnestly respect’ the security concerns of its neighbors as Tokyo pledged to reinforce its defense capabilities. ‘The Asia-Pacific region is a highland for peaceful development,’ Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters in Beijing after US President Donald Trump held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo.
According to Anadolu Agency, Guo emphasized that the US and Japan should “contribute to regional peace and stability when developing bilateral relations and conducting security cooperation, not the opposite.” Trump’s visit to Japan, part of his three-day trip, comes at a critical time as Japan aims to enhance its defense posture. Guo highlighted the historical context of Japan’s military activities, urging Japan to reflect on its past actions and to pursue peace to earn the trust of Asian countries.
During his meeting with Takaichi, Trump expressed that US-Japan relations would reach unprecedented levels of strength. Takaichi, addressing US-Japan troops aboard the USS George Washington at the Yokosuka naval base, affirmed Japan’s commitment to significantly bolstering its defense capabilities. In her policy speech, she announced plans to increase Japan’s defense spending to approximately 2% of its GDP, accelerating previous timelines.
Trump’s visit to Japan is a segment of his larger three-nation tour of Asia, marking his first such trip since his re-election. Following his attendance at a Southeast Asian summit in Malaysia, Trump will proceed to South Korea before meeting Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The timing of Trump’s visit to Japan, before his meeting with Xi, underscores the significance of reinforcing US-Japan relations.
Japanese academic Kazuto Suzuki emphasized the strategic timing of Trump’s visit, suggesting it was crucial for Takaichi to align with Trump before his engagement with Xi. Suzuki noted the importance of the tariff agreement discussions between Japan and the US, indicating that Takaichi’s appointment of Ryosuke Akazawa as the minister for economy, trade, and industry signals her commitment to uphold previous promises.
Takaichi, regarded as a China hawk and a prot©g© of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, is expected to maintain a flexible stance toward China while continuing Abe’s diplomatic approach. Her alignment with Trump’s policies is considered vital for maintaining the strategic partnership between Japan and the US amidst evolving regional dynamics.