Uncertainty Persists in Japan’s Diplomacy Ahead of APEC and G20 Summits

As Japan’s ruling party failed to secure a majority of seats in the general election, uncertainty has increased in diplomacy with major countries such as Korea, the United States, and China.

The Asahi Shimbun reported on the 31st that Japan is preparing for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in Peru on November 15-16 and the G20 summit to be held in Brazil on the 18th-19th of the same month. However, due to the fluid political situation, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is struggling to coordinate this diplomatic schedule.

A special session of the National Assembly to nominate the next prime minister after the Japanese general election, the House of Representatives, is scheduled to convene on November 11. The Cabinet meeting (State Council), which will decide on economic measures, is also being scheduled to be held on the 14th. There is a high possibility that Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, leader of the largest Liberal Democratic Party, will win the special National Assembly prime ministerial nomination election, but uncertainty remains as Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the largest opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, also shows strong desire to run for the prime ministership.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Asahi, “It is useless to visit foreign countries in this situation,” and “Diplomacy is difficult if the regime’s foundation is not stable.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “We are adjusting to hold the foreign ministers’ meeting and summit of Japan, China, and Korea in Japan after early next year,” and added, “If the Prime Minister’s Office is preoccupied with domestic issues, there will be no place to discuss foreign affairs.”

The Yomiuri Shimbun reported on this day that a summit meeting between Prime Minister Ishiba and Chinese President Xi Jinping is being coordinated on the occasion of the Apec summit. If it goes through, it will be the first meeting between Prime Minister Ishiba and President Xi. The two leaders are expected to reaffirm their commitment to a ‘strategic relationship of mutual benefit’ that expands common interests and cooperates. Discussions are also expected on major issues such as the Chinese government’s restrictions on imports of Japanese products following the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant and Chinese military activities in the East and South China Seas.

Tokyo = Correspondent Kang Gu-yeol river910@segye.com