China Expects Normalization of Ties with Japan, Calls for 'Correcting Mistakes'

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that relations with Tokyo are moving towards returning to normal, during his meeting with former Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, who is leading a business delegation to Beijing.

Diplomatic tensions between the two countries have escalated since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hinted last November/November at the possibility of Tokyo intervening if Taiwan were attacked.

In response, China warned its citizens against traveling to Japan and imposed trade restrictions that, according to media reports, led to a significant decline in supplies of vital rare earth minerals to Japanese companies.

Iwaya headed a delegation to China comprising about 50 business leaders, aiming to boost bilateral trade which has been damaged by restrictions and tariffs imposed since last November/November.

Wang told Iwaya that "Sino-Japanese relations once again face a dangerous situation and await their return to normal," according to a statement issued by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Wang added, "For the Japanese side, the most urgent task is to correct the erroneous statements and actions of the country's leaders regarding the Taiwan issue."

Iwaya's visit to Beijing comes one month after a visit by current Japanese lawmakers to the Chinese capital seeking to restore relations, without making significant progress.

Iwaya, who served as Foreign Minister until October/October 2025, remains an influential voice within Japan's conservative Liberal Democratic Party, although some party members criticized him for being lenient towards China.

In December/December 2024, Iwaya, then serving as Foreign Minister, visited Wang in Beijing, and they agreed to ease visa rules for Chinese tourists after Beijing took a similar step.