In a rare moment of unity, the foreign ministers of Japan, China, and South Korea gathered recently to reaffirm their commitment to denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and to explore collaboration on pressing issues like aging populations, plummeting birth rates, natural disasters, and cultural ties. The meeting, held against a backdrop of escalating regional tensions, underscored both the potential for partnership and the deep-seated challenges facing these East Asian neighbors.

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, joined by China’s Wang Yi and South Korea’s Cho Tae-yul, spoke at a joint press conference following the talks. Iwaya didn’t mince words about the threats posed by North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and its cozying up to Russia. He insisted that Pyongyang’s complete denuclearization, in line with U.N. Security Council resolutions, remains non-negotiable. For conservatives in Japan and beyond, this stance is a breath of fresh air—a clear signal that Tokyo won’t bend to the whims of rogue regimes or their enablers.

Iwaya also took a firm swipe at Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, declaring that unilateral attempts to redraw borders by force have no place in a civilized world. While he didn’t name China directly, the subtext was unmistakable: Beijing’s muscle-flexing in the South China Sea and beyond isn’t going unnoticed—or unchallenged. It’s the kind of principled stand that resonates with those who believe in sovereignty and the rule of law over might-makes-right posturing.

Japan, China, South Korea foreign minister
meeting was held in Tokyo.
Not Topic about Trump Tariffs.
A preparation for Osaka Expo 2025 coming April peacefully!

日中韓外相会談、「未来志向の協力確認」と岩屋氏　サミットへ作業加速 https://t.co/HF3yPKghA7

— Mario Usui (@UsuiMario) March 22, 2025

China, meanwhile, pushed its own agenda, with Wang Yi touting the benefits of a tighter regional economy. He called for reviving talks on a trilateral economic framework and expanding the 15-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Wang framed cooperation in tech, climate, and other fields as the engine for East Asian progress—a vision that, while appealing on paper, raises eyebrows among those wary of China’s track record on fair play and intellectual property.

The meeting wasn’t just talk; it’s laying the groundwork for a trilateral leaders’ summit later this year. For Japan, hosting such a summit would be a diplomatic win, especially given its fraught history with both neighbors. From the horrors of Unit 731’s experiments on Chinese civilians during World War II to the forced use of Korean “comfort women” by Japanese soldiers, the past still casts a long shadow. Add in territorial spats over places like the Liancourt Rocks and Okinotorishima, and it’s clear why conservatives in Japan see these talks as a chance to assert leadership while keeping old wounds from festering.

South Korea’s Cho Tae-yul, whose country hosted the last leaders’ summit after a pandemic-induced hiatus, stressed that today’s global crises—economic uncertainty, geopolitical rivalries—make this three-way partnership more vital than ever. He’s not wrong. With the U.S. under President Donald Trump shaking up the global order, America’s allies in the region are looking to bolster their own networks.

On the sidelines, Japan and China held their first high-level economic dialogue since 2019. Wang Yi opened with a nod to expanding ties but didn’t shy away from griping about the global economy’s woes—blaming “unilateralism” and “protectionism” (read: the U.S.) for stifling progress. One sticking point? China’s ban on Japanese seafood imports, triggered by Tokyo’s release of treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant. For Japanese fishermen and conservatives who see this as economic blackmail, it’s a sore spot that won’t heal without concessions.

Bilateral talks between Iwaya, Wang, and Cho rounded out the day. For Japan and South Korea—both U.S. allies—their warming ties are a strategic counterweight to China’s rise. Tokyo and Beijing, despite agreeing last December to mend fences, still clash over issues like the Senkaku Islands (claimed by China as the Diaoyu) and China’s broader South China Sea ambitions. As one tweeter said having to take a cheap shot at South Korea and Japan ally The U.S. said. 

🇨🇳🇯🇵🇰🇷 Wang Yi on China-Japan-South Korea free trade deal, Korean Peninsula and Tokyo's history reflection

A trilateral meeting, but in reality, only one stands independent while the other two remain colonies. Japan and South Korea can never escape Washington’s command, while… pic.twitter.com/SawvRFIUyH

— 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘦 (@OopsGuess) March 22, 2025

At its core, this meeting was a tightrope walk: three nations with tangled histories and competing interests trying to find common ground. For conservatives, it’s a reminder that strength—military, economic, moral—is the best guarantor of peace. Japan’s push for denuclearization and its subtle jabs at China’s assertiveness signal a resolve that’s worth cheering. Whether this trilateral dance yields real results or just more diplomatic platitudes, one thing’s clear: in a world of rising threats, standing firm matters more than ever.