By Zoey
Japan’s Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa said Saturday that no formal bilateral meeting took place with China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ministerial gatherings in China, although the two officials briefly exchanged words ahead of a dinner on Friday evening.
Speaking to reporters after attending the APEC meetings in the eastern Chinese city of Suzhou, Akazawa confirmed that he personally approached Wang before the dinner began and engaged in what he described as a short diplomatic conversation. He declined to reveal the substance of the exchange, saying only that it was part of a confidential diplomatic interaction between the two governments.
The brief encounter nevertheless drew attention because Akazawa is the most senior Japanese official to visit China since relations between Tokyo and Beijing sharply deteriorated late last year. Tensions escalated after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that a potential Chinese military move against Taiwan could prompt a response from Japan, remarks that angered Beijing and triggered a significant diplomatic backlash.
Since the dispute erupted, China has introduced a series of retaliatory measures targeting Japan’s economy and regional influence. Chinese authorities discouraged citizens from traveling to Japan and tightened restrictions on the export of several critical rare earth materials that are essential for industries ranging from electric vehicle manufacturing to advanced electronics and defense systems.
Japanese officials have grown increasingly concerned that Beijing is leveraging its dominance in critical mineral supply chains as a geopolitical tool. Industry sources and government officials in Tokyo say shipments of several heavy rare earth elements and related materials to Japan have been severely disrupted for at least four months, coinciding with the worsening political dispute between the two Asian powers.
Although Akazawa stopped short of directly criticizing China by name during the APEC meetings, he called on exporting nations to avoid arbitrary restrictions on rare earth exports and urged countries to maintain stable and predictable trade practices. Japanese officials indicated the comments were aimed at preserving fair access to strategic resources that underpin global manufacturing and technology supply chains.
A Japanese trade ministry official declined to confirm whether Tokyo had formally sought a one-on-one meeting with Wang during the gathering. However, Akazawa had earlier expressed hope that an opportunity for direct discussions with his Chinese counterpart could emerge on the sidelines of the APEC forum.
The absence of formal talks highlighted the continuing strain between the two governments despite growing concerns across the Asia-Pacific region about supply chain stability, economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions. Analysts say both countries remain economically intertwined, yet political mistrust has increasingly complicated diplomatic engagement and trade cooperation.
The rare earth dispute has become particularly significant because China controls a dominant share of the global production and processing of critical minerals used in batteries, semiconductors, renewable energy technologies and military equipment. Japan, one of the world’s largest manufacturing economies, remains heavily dependent on imported rare earth materials for its automotive and high-tech industries.
Business groups in Japan have warned that prolonged disruptions could impact production schedules and increase costs for companies involved in electric vehicles, precision machinery and advanced electronics. The issue has also intensified efforts by Tokyo to diversify supply chains and strengthen partnerships with other countries capable of producing strategic minerals.
Despite the tensions, the brief exchange between Akazawa and Wang suggested both governments may still be seeking limited channels for communication as economic pressures and regional security concerns continue to mount across East Asia.