The Japanese government does not expect U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to China to bring about a significant change in the confrontational U.S.-China relationship. Japan plans to continue to cooperate with the United States by tightening export controls on advanced semiconductors, among other measures, while also maintaining communication with China to avoid unexpected clashes.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a press conference Monday: "Stability in the U.S.-China relationship is of crucial importance for the international community. Based on the strong relationship of trust with our ally, the United States, we would like to urge China to fulfill its responsibilities as a major country."
In November last year, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in person for the first time in Thailand, where a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) nations was held. Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi visited China in April, and a Japan-China defense ministerial meeting was held in Singapore earlier this month. Dialogue between the two governments is ongoing.
