On August 19 local time, Kyodo News reported from sources familiar with the matter that the business community in Kansai, Japan, plans to postpone its October visit to China to November or December this year.
According to reports, the Kansai Economic Federation and the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, among other Kansai business organizations, originally planned to send a delegation to China from October 18th to 23rd. However, the Chinese side requested consultations regarding changes in the schedule, stating that it would be difficult to accommodate the Japanese delegation during October.
The Japanese side believes that China is busy preparing for the APEC summit to be held in Shenzhen, Guangdong, from November 18th to 19th. The business community in Kansai region wishes to have face-to-face talks with Chinese officials, therefore they have decided to postpone the visit until after the APEC conference in November.
According to Japanese media, if the dispatch is finalized, this will be the first visit to China by the Kansai business community since November 2024. In addition to the Kansai Economic Federation, about 80 senior officials from organizations such as the Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe Commercial and Industrial Associations are also planned to attend.
Additionally, Kyodo News reported that a delegation composed of several Japanese cross-party lawmakers will visit China from August 24 to 27. This is the first time in over a year that a Japanese cross-party lawmakers' delegation has visited China since former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama made remarks related to "Taiwan being at war," which led to a serious deterioration in Sino-Japanese relations.
On August 19, during a regular press conference held by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a journalist from a Japanese television network asked: According to reports, the International Department of the Communist Party of China has invited Japanese congressmen to visit China next week, and the two sides plan to hold a meeting. What is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs's comment on this? Spokesperson Lin Jian said: I do not understand the situation you mentioned. It is recommended to consult the relevant Chinese authorities.
