What's happened
On March 22, 2025, Japan, China, and South Korea's foreign ministers met in Tokyo to discuss cooperation amid rising regional tensions. The meeting, the first since 2023, focused on economic integration, North Korea's nuclear threat, and plans for a trilateral summit later this year. Japan's missile deployment plans were also a key topic.
What's behind the headline?
Key Insights
- Regional Dynamics: The meeting reflects a shift in regional alliances, with Japan, China, and South Korea seeking to strengthen ties amid U.S. unpredictability.
- Military Posturing: Japan's missile deployment is a significant move to bolster its defense against perceived threats from North Korea and China, indicating a proactive stance in regional security.
- Economic Cooperation: The ministers emphasized the need for economic integration, which could stabilize the region amidst global economic uncertainties.
- Historical Context: Historical grievances remain a barrier to full cooperation, as highlighted by discussions on World War II and territorial disputes.
- Future Outlook: The trilateral summit planned for later this year could pave the way for deeper collaboration, but underlying tensions will need to be addressed for lasting peace.
What the papers say
The South China Morning Post reported that the foreign ministers agreed on the importance of economic integration, with Wang Yi stating, "We must unify efforts to promote regional economic integration." Al Jazeera highlighted the significance of the meeting as Japan seeks to overcome historical disputes with China and South Korea. The Independent noted that cooperation among the three nations is crucial for regional peace, as emphasized by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. However, concerns about Japan's missile deployment could complicate these diplomatic efforts, as noted by various sources discussing the potential backlash from China.
How we got here
The trilateral meeting follows a period of heightened tensions in East Asia, particularly regarding North Korea's missile development and China's military activities. Japan's plans to deploy long-range missiles on Kyushu are part of its strategy to enhance defense capabilities amid uncertainties in U.S. foreign policy under President Trump.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of Japan's missile deployment?
- How does this meeting affect U.S.-China relations?
- What historical issues are still affecting Japan, China, and South Korea?
Common question
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Why is Japan Deploying Long-Range Missiles Now?
Japan's decision to deploy long-range missiles by March 2026 marks a significant shift in its military strategy amid rising regional tensions. This move raises questions about Japan's defense posture, its relations with neighboring countries, and the implications for regional security. Below, we explore key questions surrounding this development.
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What were the main topics discussed in the trilateral talks between Japan, China, and South Korea?
On March 22, 2025, Japan, China, and South Korea's foreign ministers convened in Tokyo to address pressing regional issues. This meeting marked the first trilateral discussion since 2023, focusing on economic integration, North Korea's nuclear threat, and future cooperation. As tensions rise in East Asia, understanding the outcomes of these talks is crucial for regional stability and international relations.
More on these topics
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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Japan is an island country of East Asia in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It borders the Sea of Japan to the west and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south.
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North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.
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Wang Yi is a Chinese diplomat and politician who has been serving as Director of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee Foreign Affairs Commission Office since January 2023, and as Minister of Foreign Affairs of China since July 2023.
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South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea.
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Takeshi Iwaya is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet. He served as the Minister of Defense from 2 October 2018 to 11 September 2019.
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Cho Tae-yul (Korean: 조태열; born 10 November 1955) is a South Korean diplomat. He is the 41st Foreign Minister.
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Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. Neighbouring countries include the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Japan to the northeast, and the Philippines to the south.
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Shigeru Ishiba is a Japanese politician. Ishiba is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party and of Heisei-Kenkyukai until 2011.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
