Kishida-Xi Jinping meeting “Demands removal of Japanese seafood import restrictions”.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga demanded Chinese President Xi Jinping to immediately lift the import restrictions on Japanese seafood during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit held in San Francisco, USA. The leaders of both countries also discussed current issues such as the issue of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant and maritime territorial disputes, and reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing a “strategic mutually beneficial relationship” between the two countries. {vi1}According to Kyodo News on the 17th, Prime Minister Suga stated during a press conference after the summit that he demanded President Xi to lift the import restrictions on Japanese seafood related to the release of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Prime Minister Suga stated that Japan and China agreed to find a solution to the issue of import restrictions through consultation and dialogue. He also mentioned that experts are considering discussions on the issue of contaminated water. {vi2}{vi3}{vi4}{vi5}{vi6}{vi7}{vi8}{vi9}Previously, the Japanese government started the release of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant on August 24th, and China responded by completely suspending the import of Japanese seafood, stating that Japan’s unilateral action was unacceptable. This suspension of exports to China and Hong Kong, where more than half of Japan’s seafood was sold, has greatly impacted Japanese fishermen and the seafood industry. {vi10}{vi11}{vi12}In addition, Prime Minister Suga stated that he discussed the issue of maritime territorial disputes with President Xi. He requested the immediate removal of buoys installed by China in Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) within the Senkaku Islands, where China is engaged in territorial disputes with Japan. He expressed serious concerns about China’s military activities, including cooperation with Russia in the vicinity of Japan, and emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait to the international community. He also called for the early release of a Japanese citizen who was detained on suspicion of espionage in China. {vi13}{vi14}{vi15}However, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continue pursuing a strategic mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries. Prime Minister Suga explained that they shared the understanding that Japan and China need to communicate at various levels, including at the summit, and reaffirmed the comprehensive pursuit of a strategic mutually beneficial relationship between Japan and China. {vi16}{vi17}{vi18}Here, the strategic mutually beneficial relationship refers to the diplomatic goal agreed upon by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and former Chinese President Hu Jintao during their summit in 2006. The strategic mutually beneficial relationship, as stated in the joint statement issued in 2008, reflects the shared recognition that both countries have significant influence and responsibility for peace, stability, and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world. It emphasizes long-term cooperation for peace and friendship as the only choice. {vi19}{vi20}{vi21}{vi22}Reporter Hyunwoo Lee, knos84@asiae.co.kr {vi23}{vi24}