Japans Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to Visit China for First Time Next Week

Tokyo, November 14 (Daily Kiran) : Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is set to embark on a significant diplomatic mission next week, visiting both the Philippines and China. This trip will see Kishida participating in crucial meetings tied to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

According to Kyodo News Agency, Kishida will depart on Monday for the four-day visit. In Manila, leaders from Australia, India, Japan, and the United States are expected to convene for a meeting of the Quad, a strategic alliance aimed at counterbalancing China’s growing influence in the region.

During a regular press conference, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki outlined that Kishida’s itinerary includes the Japan-ASEAN Summit scheduled for Tuesday. Additionally, he will co-chair a meeting on the “Asia Zero Emission Community” with the Philippines. This initiative, launched by Japan, focuses on creating a framework for decarbonization.

This marks the first Quad summit since September 2024, viewed as a pivotal gathering to address regional security concerns. Diplomatic sources indicate that Tokyo is also in discussions with Washington for Kishida to hold a separate meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Ozaki emphasized that ASEAN is a “key pillar” in realizing a vision for a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” a stance Japan has consistently advocated amid rising Chinese influence. He reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to promoting solid support and cooperation in the region.

Following the meetings in the Philippines, Kishida will travel to Shenzhen, China, on Thursday to attend the APEC summit, where discussions will focus on regional economic issues such as trade, energy security, and artificial intelligence.

Ozaki noted that Kishida’s schedule includes various bilateral meetings with other leaders during the trip. This will be Kishida’s first visit to China since taking office, following tensions that arose last November over comments he made regarding Taiwan. As such, this visit is deemed highly significant for Japan-China relations.