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Japan concerned over Beijing’s moves in South China Sea

Motegi stressed on China’s attempts to change the status quo in the East China and South China seas, the situation around Taiwan and Hong Kong…reports Asian Lite News

On the second day of Group of Seven (G7) ministerial meetings in London, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi expressed growing concerns over a number of issues related to China.

Motegi stressed on China’s attempts to change the status quo in the East China and South China seas, the situation around Taiwan and Hong Kong, the Kyodo news agency reported on Wednesday.

Tokyo also raked up Beijing’s handling of human rights of the Muslim Uyghur minority in the Xinjiang province, which it said has caused “grave concerns”. Motegi also discussed regional issues at the meeting.

The meeting lays the groundwork for the summit among world leaders in June.

The Ninth Japan-UK Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue(Twitter)

On Monday, Motegi had agreed with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to step up cooperation to deal with China and promised to further strengthen their alliance to realise a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

“Motegi and Blinken also discussed China. They agreed to oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East China and South China seas. They also shared concerns about the human rights situation in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. They also agreed on the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” said the NHK World in its report, citing the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

The talks between the two leaders took place in London before the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting. (ANI)\

Also read:Blinken ,Japanese FM discuss free ‘Indo-Pacific’

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State of emergency declared in Tokyo

The state of emergency, a third of its kind so far declared in the country, will come into effect from Sunday to May 11…reports Asian Lite News

Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Friday declared a state of emergency over Covid-19 in the national capital Tokyo and the western prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo.

The state of emergency, a third of its kind so far declared in the country, will come into effect from Sunday to May 11, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The emergency is aimed at curbing a surge in Covid-19 cases during the upcoming Golden Week holidays.

People wearing face masks walk on the street in Tokyo, Japan

“We must take strong measures in a focused manner while many people are on holiday during the Golden Week to bring the virus under control,” Suga said.

Stricter restrictions, such as asking restaurants and bars not to serve alcohol and shutting down major commercial facilities, will be in place.

Also read:Blinken ,Japanese FM discuss free ‘Indo-Pacific’

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Suga to embark on visit to US

Suga is expected to hold talks with Biden at the White House on Friday, to become the first foreign leader to meet in person with Biden…reports Asian Lite News

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is set to depart for the US on Thursday for talks with President Joe Biden amid the Covid-19 pandemic and tension with China.

Suga is scheduled to hold a summit meeting with Biden at the White House on Friday, becoming the first foreign leader to meet in person with the new president, who was inaugurated in January, DPA news agency reported.

Suga wants the talks to be “productive”, he told reporters on Wednesday.

The two leaders want to show the strong ties of the Japan-US alliance and their commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, Tokyo said.

US President Joe Biden

Suga and Biden are expected to discuss climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, issues related to China and North Korea and cooperation toward a free and open Indo-Pacific region, the Japanese government said.

Tokyo has expressed concerns about a new Chinese law which allows Beijing’s coastguard to use weapons on foreign ships.

Chinese coastguard vessels were spotted near a group of uninhabited islets in the East China Sea every day in the past two months.

The Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands are also claimed by China and Taiwan, where they are known as Diaoyu and Tiaoyutai, respectively.

Also read:Blinken ,Japanese FM discuss free ‘Indo-Pacific’

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Suga to be 1st foreign leader to meet Biden

The two leaders likely to discuss climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, issues related to China and North Korea and cooperation toward a free and open Indo-Pacific region on April 16…reports Asian Lite News

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will hold face-to-face talks with US President Joe Biden in Washington on April 16, the Tokyo government said on Friday.

Suga will become the first foreign leader to meet Biden in person after he took office on January 20, dpa news agency quoted Japanese government spokesman Katsunobu Kato as saying at a briefing here.

It shows “the strong ties of the Japan-US alliance and America’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region”, Kato said.

The two leaders are expected to discuss climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, issues related to China and North Korea and cooperation toward a free and open Indo-Pacific region, he said.

The two leaders’ summit meeting will take place amid heightened tensions as China’s activities in East China and South China seas.

Chinese coastguard vessels frequently approach a group of uninhabited islets in the East China Sea, a source of diplomatic tension between Beijing and Tokyo.

The Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands are also claimed by China and Taiwan, where they are called Diaoyu and Tiaoyutai respectively.

The meeting was originally planned in the first half of this month and it has been pushed back to April 16, Kato said.

Also read:Blinken ,Japanese FM discuss free ‘Indo-Pacific’