SCMP "US-Japan Summit Focuses on China... Also Includes Korea-Japan Relations on Agenda"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The summit between the United States and Japan, scheduled for the 16th (local time), is expected to focus heavily on issues related to China, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

SCMP cited an anonymous U.S. source, stating, "The United States and Japan will strive to play a cautious and continuous role in maintaining regional stability and peace when tensions between China and Taiwan escalate."

This U.S.-Japan summit takes place just two days after U.S. President Joe Biden dispatched a delegation with the character of special envoys to Taiwan.

The source said, "Neither the United States nor Japan wants to provoke China," adding, "At the same time, we want to send a clear signal that some actions taken by China (such as sending fighter jets or bombers into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone) run counter to maintaining peace and stability."

He mentioned that while issues related to Xinjiang or Hong Kong might also be discussed, the two countries hold somewhat different views on these matters.

Additionally, supply chain diversification measures to counter the Chinese telecommunications company Huawei, as well as 5G and Taiwan-related issues, are expected to be major agenda items.

The source also noted that the Japanese government is likely to concretely agree on a commitment to invest $2 billion in 5G cooperation.

Referring to economic exchanges between Japan and China, the source said, "Prime Minister Suga wants to take a cautious stance, and we respect that. We do not require Japan to take the same position in all our approaches."

Discussions on the deteriorated South Korea-Japan relationship are also expected. Tensions between South Korea and Japan have risen recently following the Japanese government's decision to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean.

The source said, "It is painful for us to watch South Korea-Japan relations fall to their current low level, and it is a matter that concerns us as well."

The source stated that the Biden administration considers "the U.S.-Japan alliance as 'the most important' factor in enhancing the United States' geopolitical interests in the Indo-Pacific region," adding, "The United States can only be effective (exert influence) in Asia if the U.S.-Japan relationship is strong and Japan is stable and unwavering."

President Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will hold talks at the White House on the 16th (local time). Prime Minister Suga is the first foreign leader to visit the White House since President Biden took office. President Biden plans to meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in in late next month.

SCMP explained that President Biden will meet the leaders of South Korea and Japan consecutively amid the worst state of South Korea-Japan relations.