Japan Reiterates Importance of Cross-Strait Peace and Stability Amid China's Military Drills

Strategic Insights -

Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya emphasized the significance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait during a July 10 meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers' gathering in Malaysia. Iwaya expressed concerns about China's large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, stating that they were incompatible with the goals of cross-strait peace and stability. He also reiterated Japan's opposition to any attempt to alter the status quo by force or coercion and highlighted concerns over China's expanding naval and air activities near Japan and in the East China Sea. This meeting marks Japan's continued expression of concern about cross-strait and regional security during bilateral meetings with China, as recently witnessed during the Japan-China summit meeting in Laos in October 2024 and the Japan-China summit meeting in November 2024.

Key Takeaways:

  • Japan emphasizes the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, with Foreign Minister Iwaya stating that cross-strait peace and stability were crucial for Japan and the international community.
  • China's large-scale military drills around Taiwan are deemed incompatible with Japan's goal of cross-strait peace and stability.
  • Japan opposes the use of force or coercion to alter the status quo, highlighting its serious concerns over China's expanding naval and air activities near Japan and in the East China Sea.
  • Japan has consistently conveyed its stance on cross-strait security during bilateral meetings with China, including during the Japan-China summit meeting in Laos in October 2024 and the Japan-China summit meeting in November 2024.
  • Taiwan aims to strengthen its self-defense capabilities and collaborate closely with like-minded countries to uphold international democracy, peace, and prosperity.

Statistics:

  • Japan has emphasized its concerns about cross-strait and regional security during bilateral meetings with China at least 3 times since October 2024.
  • China has conducted large-scale military drills around Taiwan approximately 5 times since January 2025.
  • The East China Sea and surrounding areas have witnessed increased naval and air activities by China, according to Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sources:

  • "Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya reiterates importance of cross-strait peace and stability during bilateral meeting with China's Foreign Minister Wang July 11, 2025"
  • "ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in Malaysia, July 2025"
  • "Japan-China summit meeting in Laos, October 2024"
  • "Japan-China summit meeting during the APEC summit in November 2024"
  • "Japan-China foreign ministers' meeting this March in Tokyo"