On August 31, 2026, the Chinese-language website of French international broadcaster RFI (Radio France Internationale) published an analytical article stating that the visit to China by a Japanese bipartisan parliamentary delegation could be an opportunity to break the stalemate in chilled Japan-China relations.

The article introduced the circumstances in which three individuals from the bipartisan parliamentary league "Japan-China Next Generation Exchange Committee" - Gaku Hashimoto, former Senior Vice Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare of the Liberal Democratic Party; Shinichi Isa, Chairman of the Public Relations Committee of the Centrist Reform Coalition; and Yudai Kawamura, a House of Councillors member of the Komeito Party - visited Beijing on August 24, and on the 27th, Mr. Isa and others met with Lu Kang (Lu Kang), Deputy Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

In it, regarding Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Diet remarks on "a Taiwan contingency," it reported that Mr. Lu stated, "Unless statements and perceptions change, China has no intention of changing its policy," and that Mr. Isa said "it will not be easy" regarding the realization of a summit meeting coinciding with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference to be held in Shenzhen in November.

And while introducing that in Japan, there are generally many pessimistic views, and media outlets reported this visit to China as "without concrete results," it pointed out, "Returning without achievements is merely a superficial phenomenon, and judging by several signs, this visit could also be a turning point for improving relations." It argued that since Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks regarding a Taiwan contingency last November, it was the first time a Japanese parliamentary delegation officially met with a high-ranking Chinese official, and from the perspective that China accepted Japan's offer for a visit and dialogue, China has the will to improve Japan-China relations.

Additionally, regarding Japan's intentions, it cited the US Trump administration's passive stance towards Taiwan's defense, weakening the motivation to strongly support Taiwan, and as the political effect of hardline stances has run its course after elections, a heightened sense of crisis over the drastic decrease in Chinese tourists to Japan and the impact on the Japanese economy from China's strengthened export controls on rare earths.

The article pointed out that Prime Minister Takaichi conveyed condolences through diplomatic channels to former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji (Zhu Rongji), who passed away on August 12, and also sent letters of sympathy to President Xi Jinping and others regarding the floods and mudslides that occurred near the Himalayan mountains on the 26th, indicating that she is exploring signals for improving relations. It also mentioned that a delegation led by former Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, who assumed the position of Chairman of the Japan Association for the Promotion of International Trade (Koku Bo Soku), is scheduled to visit China in September, and reported the possibility of Prime Minister Takaichi carrying a personal letter or exploring contacts between leaders at the Shenzhen APEC in November. (Edited and Translated by Kawajiri)