Takaichi Insisted on China in G7 Summit Dominated by Iran War

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi finished her schedule for Group of Seven summit meeting in Evian-les-Bains, France. In her press conference after the meeting, Takaichi stressed her achievements in discussing issues on China and North Korea with other leaders. Although she might have reminded the leaders of some agenda in Asia-Pacific region, the main topic in G7 was the deal of the United States and Iran over ending their war, on which Takaichi had no strong leverage.

Through the memorandum of understandings (MOU), the U.S. President Donald Trump achieved termination of blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. Instead, Iran was successful in including Lebanon in termination of military operations. Iran also received assurance of 300 billion dollars of reconstruction plan, waivers for export of Iranian crude oil and availability of frozen or restricted funds and assets of Iran.

 

On nuclear issue, Iran promised not to develop nuclear weapons as it had been arguing that it would not obtain any nuclear weapon. “Stockpiled enriched material” will be down blended on site, the method which Iran has been demanding. Iran can maintain current status quo of its nuclear program and the U.S. will not impose any new sanctions. The MOU does not refer to missiles. The MOU is reportedly a victory for Iran.

 

Takaichi welcomed the deal with expectations for assured free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and for final agreement on Iran’s nuclear issue. To the question on Japan’s participation in multinational mission in the strait, Takaichi soberly answered that she has not decided anything. In the meeting with Trump in March, Takaichi explained that Japan had legal restriction to send its self-defense force to the strait.

 

In the backdrop of G7 summit, Takaichi had a five-minute conversation with Trump. In his press conference afterward, Trump outspoke that he asked if Takaichi wanted to get involved in the war in Iran, but did not insisted very much. “Japan was not willing to get involved during the war,” said Trump. That did not seem to have made him upset. “She’s my biggest fan, I have to tell you. She thinks I did a great job,” Trump told the reporter.

 

In G7 summit, Takaichi tried to connect the war in Iran with pressure on China. She proposed building a system of oil reserve for developing countries, as introducing Japan’s system of stockpiling of critical minerals. “We will work together with partners to reduce critical dependencies and ensure that attempts or threats to weaponize economic dependencies fail,” says the declaration on securing supply chains for critical minerals. That sounded as G7’s frustration with China’s trade policy.

 

But G7 leaders are not having as awkward relationship with Beijing as Takaichi has. All the G7 leaders except Takaichi had at least a visit to China and meeting with Xi Jinping. China tuned down G7 declaration as “obtrusive” and accused Takaichi of her request for dialogue with confrontational actions as “self-contradiction.” Takaichi’s G7 diplomacy showed no sign of improvement in bilateral relations with China.