China continues to keep the door to dialogue closed without softening its criticism of Japan, while pressure on Japanese companies also continues. Prospects for improved Japan-China relations remain elusive.
As China marks the anniversary of its victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, it continues to maintain its hardened stance toward Japan without softening its criticism. The government has no intention of changing its basic policy toward Japan, and there are no signs that it will open the door to dialogue.
Regarding the brief contact between Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu (茂木 敏充) and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (王毅), the Japanese government has denied the facts as reported, and there are no prospects for the resumption of government-to-government dialogue between Japan and China. The outlook for an improvement in Japan-China relations itself is also uncertain.
The Chinese government is stepping up pressure on Japanese companies, and cases have been reported in which customs procedures for cargo, including rare earths exported to Japan, have been prolonged. An incident has also occurred in which 2 Japanese employees of the Fuji Electric Group were detained.
The Japanese government plans to use the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November as an opportunity for a Japan-China summit, but China's hard-line stance remains unchanged. At present, there are no prospects for improved Japan-China relations or for a summit meeting to take place.