Kosei Shindo, (L) Chairman of Japan-China Economic Association, and other Japanese delegation members hold talks with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Beijing on Feb. 18, 2025. Photo: VCG

Chairman of Japan-China Economic Association Kosei Shindo met with Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao in Tokyo on Thursday, during which Shindo asked the Chinese side to accept a previously planned economic delegation visit to Beijing in January next year, while emphasizing the importance of continuing to develop economic exchanges between the two countries, Kyodo News reported on Friday. 

The planned visit is set to be jointly organized with Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

According to Kyodo News, Shindo emphasized the importance of continuing economic exchanges despite the current deterioration in bilateral relations triggered by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Taiwan-related parliamentary remarks. 

It has been reported that the delegation's scheduled visit to Beijing is planned to be hosted by the Japan-China Economic Association and is scheduled for January 20-23, 2026, led by Keidanren Chairman Yoshinobu Tsutsui and Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Ken Kobayashi, along with executives from Japanese companies. 

The Kyodo News report claimed that with only one month remaining before the visit, China has yet to provide a clear response, and there are growing concerns about the possibility of postponement or cancellation.

Keidanren Chairman Tsutsui has said regarding the delegation's planned visit to China next month that "It is a shared asset for both countries," and expressed his expectation that it will proceed as scheduled, at a press conference on December 8, Japanese media outlets reported.

At the press conference, when asked about the impact of the tense Japan-China relations on the economy, Tsutsui expressed concern, saying, "It will lead to a reduction in people-to-people exchanges, including tourism. I am deeply worried about the various impacts that are already emerging."

Previously on December 2, when asked whether China will arrange their visits, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that he has noted relevant reports and also found that many visionary people in Japan are deeply concerned over the negative influence and grave consequences of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan. 

"The Chinese side urges the Japanese side to do soul-searching, rectify its wrongdoings, retract Takaichi's erroneous remarks, stop harming the sentiments of the two peoples, take practical steps to honor its political commitments to China, and create necessary conditions for the normal exchanges between the two countries. We hope relevant Japanese organizations will play a more positive role in Japan," Lin said.

Global Times