Japanese lawmakers report 'heated exchanges' during Beijing trip to mend ties

A group of Japanese lawmakers aiming to mend ties with China concluded a visit to Beijing this week, reporting little progress and describing "many heated exchanges" with Chinese officials.

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Both sides shared the understanding that this visit to China was about creating an atmosphere conducive to normalisation.

Relations between Japan and China have been strained, particularly since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's suggestion in November 2025 that Japan might intervene militarily in a conflict over Taiwan. Beijing considers Taiwan its territory. In response to Takaichi's remarks, China had warned its citizens against traveling to Japan and imposed trade restrictions, reportedly causing significant drops in rare earth mineral supplies to Japanese companies.

The delegation included a member from Takaichi's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and two opposition lawmakers, one of whom was Shinichi Isa from the Centrist Reform Alliance. Isa told local media upon returning to Tokyo on August 27 that both sides acknowledged the visit's purpose was to foster an atmosphere conducive to normalization. However, he added, "there were many heated exchanges, and the Chinese side’s tough stance was made clear."

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(But) were many heated exchanges, and the Chinese side’s tough stance was made clear.

Isa also relayed that senior Chinese official Lu Kang stated, "Unless (Japanese) statements and perceptions concerning Taiwan change, China’s stance will not change." Despite the confrontational dialogue, Isa considered the delegation's trip itself a "step forward from a situation in which there was no exchange at all." Japanese media, citing an unnamed source, reported that the Chinese side expressed valuing face-to-face meetings.

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Unless (Japanese) statements and perceptions concerning Taiwan change, China’s stance will not change.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated on August 27 that information on the meeting would be released in due course. According to a transcript, Lin attributed the "serious difficulties in bilateral relations" to "erroneous remarks and actions on Taiwan and in the fields of military and security made by those running the Japanese government." Japanese government chief spokesman Minoru Kihara said on August 28 that China is an important neighbor and Japan aims to build constructive, stable relationships. He emphasized the importance of dialogue given the challenges, stating, "We will continue to respond calmly and appropriately with our national interest in mind."

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a step forward from a situation in which there was no exchange at all.