On Wednesday, a powerful image of unity amidst the changing diplomatic moves of North Korea was seen in Tokyo as the leaders of China, Japan and South Korea met up to discuss the current situation in the region and the world.
The three-way summit between the three countries is not new as the three East Asian neighbors regularly meet up to discuss issues. However, this week's gathering in Tokyo comes during a sudden peaceful situation in the region in contrast to the strained ties caused by territorial and historical dispute.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be holding separate meetings with his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who is making the first state visit of a Chinese premier in Japan since 2010.
North Korea was the major topic at the talks after Moon met up with its leader Kim Jong-un last month. Kim is set to meet US President Donald Trump. The leaders have spoken about economics, especiall ynow that US trade pressure is directed on China and Japan.
Prime Minister Abe praised Moon's leadership and China's moves to reach out to North Korea, which prompted a visit from Kim on Tuesday to Dalian, China. He also adds additional efforts towards denuclearization must be done.
In a news conference after the meeting, Abe said, "We must take the recent momentum toward denuclearization on the Korean peninsula and toward peace and security in Northeast Asia, and, cooperating even further with international society, make sure this is linked to concrete action by North Korea."
Moon had also said that the three nations will be continuing its discussions as the Koreas move towards a permament peace settlemen in the region. He said, "Above all we reached the consensus that complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, a permanent peace settlement and improvement of South-North relations is very important for peace and prosperity of Northeast Asia."
In terms of the trade pressure from the US on China and Japan, the three countries indicate that they were affected by it as Li urged for faster discussions on regional free trade deals, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
"We are all beneficiaries of free trade and even though various issues have emerged, these should not stand in the way," Li said. "Through actual behavior, let's show that we three nations support engaging in free trade."
South Korea and Japan still have issues to contend to such as the issue of Korean women forced into Japanese military brothels during World War II, but the lingering and larger regional issues are putting it on the backseat. Both countries currently share concern about the US troops stationed in South Korea, which President Trump remarked he will cut the numbers.
China and Japan, on the other hand, are scheduled to sign a currency swap deal during Li's visit in the country.
