Japan Foreign Minister raises 'serious concerns' over China military buildup

Japanese Foreign Minister expresses concerns over China's military buildup during meeting in Beijing with counterpart Wang Yi.

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya raised "serious concerns" on Wednesday (December 25, 2024) over China's military buildup as he met counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing, Tokyo said.

On his first visit to China since becoming Japan's top diplomat earlier this year, Mr. Iwaya told Mr. Wang that Tokyo was "closely monitoring the Taiwan situation and recent military developments", according to his Foreign Ministry.

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Meeting with Mr. Wang at Beijing's opulent Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, he also "expressed serious concerns over the East China Sea situation, including around the Senkaku Islands (and) China's increasing military activity", Tokyo said.

Mr. Iwaya in addition called for the "swift release" of Japanese nationals detained by Chinese authorities.

"Opaqueness surrounding the anti-espionage law is causing Japanese people to think twice about visiting China," he warned.

But the two Ministers also agreed to work towards a visit to Japan by Wang "at the earliest possible timing next year".