China Japan Photo:VCG

The head of Japan's junior ruling coalition partner Komeito party kicked off a three-day visit to China on Tuesday and will deliver a letter from Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to Chinese leader, a move drawing attention as Tokyo is facing mounting tariff pressure with Washington, according to Japanese media. 

"The prime minister told me that he would like me to deliver a letter, as it may take some time before he can visit China," Tetsuo Saito, the chief of Komeito, told reporters on Monday, according to a report from The Japan Times on Tuesday. 

The report also noted that the gesture "highlights Japan's desire" to balance managing its relationships with China, its largest trading partner, and with the US, its sole formal security ally, as it proceeds with formal trade negotiations with Washington seeking an exemption from sweeping tariffs imposed by US administration earlier this month.

Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee met with Saito's delegation on Tuesday in Beijing.

It will be the first visit to China by a leader of Komeito since November 2023 when then chief Natsuo Yamaguchi held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, according to The Mainichi. 

Komeito leader Saito's visit to China, during which he will reportedly deliver a letter from Ishiba, signals Japan's intent to engage in coordination and cooperation with China on certain areas, such as coping with global trade challenges. Amid current international landscape, the visit reflects certain cooperative potential and positive factors, Lu Hao, a research fellow at the Institute of Japanese Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.

As a longtime coalition partner in Japan's ruling coalition, the Komeito party has played a balancing role in shaping Liberal Democratic Party's policies. The party chief's visit to China carries unique advantages rooted in historical ties with China, said Lu, noting that since last year, China and Japan have reached a series of positive understandings, including advancing a strategic and mutually beneficial relationship. 

Some observers in Japan also view Komeito chief's visit to China as a valuable opportunity to learn about Beijing's attitude toward Tokyo. Amid mounting pressure caused by US tariffs - which would also severely impact Japan's economy, particularly its auto industry, there is growing recognition of the need for China-Japan economic cooperation, Lü Chao, an expert from the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. 

In response to a media inquiry about China's expectations for Saito's visit and the anticipated outcomes, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday that China welcomes the visit of the delegation of Japanese Komeito led by its leader Tetsuo Saito. On the specifics of the visit, I'd refer you to competent authorities.

A single visit is unlikely to bring a fundamental shift in China-Japan relations, due to unresolved issues, including on the Taiwan question, and historical issues, analysts said. 

Lü said that some obstacles in bilateral relations remain unresolved and that the negative influence of Japan's right-wing forces continues to hinder the improvement of ties, underscoring the need for the Japanese government to earnestly implement the consensus reached by both sides.