Japan, China foreign ministers meet; Tokyo cautiously assesses Beijing's next move

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi held a brief exchange with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the Philippines, marking the first contact between the top diplomats since relations between the two nations soured.

The encounter, which took place while both ministers were visiting the Philippines, has sparked cautious optimism within the Japanese government. Some officials see it as a potential starting point for improving bilateral ties.

However, the Japanese government is also keenly aware that the path to mending relations will not be easy. They are carefully observing China's actions and responses to gauge the sincerity of any potential shift in Beijing's approach.

The meeting occurred against a backdrop of ongoing tensions, and while any diplomatic contact is noteworthy, the Japanese administration is proceeding with caution, unwilling to make assumptions about a significant thaw in relations based on this single interaction.