Japan Business Leaders Urge China To Address Overproduction

A group of Japanese business leaders urged China to address what they see as overproduction by Chinese firms—particularly in steel and electric vehicles—while also calling for a level playing field for foreign companies, Kyodo News reported.

China must proactively comply with international rules and contribute to maintaining and strengthening the global order. I Photo: Great Wall Motor Facebook

The delegation of about 200 members, on a six-day visit to China also discussed bilateral economic cooperation amid escalating U.S.-China trade tensions and mutual tariff impositions.

During the meeting, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng acknowledged rising global concerns about “protectionism and unilateralism” and expressed China’s desire to strengthen economic ties with Japan.

“We are confident that your visit will play an important role in promoting Sino-Japanese as well as global trade,” He Lifeng said.

Masakazu Tokura, chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), emphasized the importance of free and fair trade, stating that Japan and China must "proactively comply with international rules and contribute to maintaining and strengthening the international order."

Earlier in the day, members of the Japanese business delegation, including Tokura and Ken Kobayashi, head of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also held discussions with senior officials from China’s National Development and Reform Commission, Mainichi Japan reported.