“Japan-China Relations in the Trump 2.0 Era: The International Order in the Indo-Pacific”

On August 26, the Japan Forum on International Relations (JFIR) hosted a seminar entitled “Japan-China Relations in the Trump 2.0 Era: The International Order in the Indo-Pacific”, inviting researchers from Fudan University who were visiting Japan. A summary of the seminar is as follows.

１．Time & Date: 14:00-17:00, Tuesday, August 26, 2025

２．Place: Conference room of JFIR

３．Participant:
【The Japan Forum on International Relations: JFIR】
  KIKUCHI Yona Executive Director, JFIR
  SUGITA Hiroki Columnist, Kyodo News/Specially Appointed Professor, Meiji University
  SATAKE Tomohiko Associate Professor, Aoyama Gakuin University
  MIURA Hideyuki Professor, Kyorin University
  YATSUZUKA Masaaki Senior Research Fellow in the National Institute for Defense Studies
  TAKAHASHI Kunio Vice Chairman, Institute for International Strategy, the Japan Research Institute
  DNOBAN Saya Intern, JFIR
【Fudan University】
  Guo Dingping Professor, School of International Relations and Public Affairs
  Wei Zongyou Professor, Center for American Studies
  Xie Chao Associate Professor, Center for South Asian Studies
  Wen Yao Associate Professor, Center for American Studies
  Wang Guangtao Associate Professor, Center for Japanese Studies
  Jiang Xiner Ph. D Candidate, School of International Relations and Public Affairs
     （Program appearance order）

４．Program:
  Greetings from the Representative
   KIKUCHI Yona Executive Director, JFIR
   Guo Dingping Professor, School of International Relations and Public Affairs

  ※Moderator:
  SUGITA Hiroki Columnist, Kyodo News/Specially Appointed Professor, Meiji University

Session 1: The Indo-Pacific International Order in the Trump 2.0 Era
 keynote report
  SATAKE Tomohiko Associate Professor, Aoyama Gakuin University
  Wei Zongyou Professor, Center for American Studies
  MIURA Hideyuki Professor, Kyorin University
  Xie Chao Associate Professor, Center for South Asian Studies

 Discussion

Break

Session 2: Japan-China Relations in the Trump 2.0 Era
 keynote report
  YATUZUKA Masaaki Senior Research Fellow in the National Institute for Defense Studies
  Wang Guangtao Associate Professor, Center for Japanese Studies
  TAKAHASHI Kunio Vice Chairman, Institute for International Strategy, the Japan Research Institute
  Jiang Xiner Ph. D Candidate, School of International Relations and Public Affairs

 Discussion

Closing remarks
  SUGITA Hiroki Columnist, Kyodo News/Specially Appointed Professor, Meiji University
  Wen Yao Associate Professor, Center for American Studies

７．Summary of Discussion:

　Some of the participants’ remarks were as follows:

• Under the Trump administration, the United States shifted from being a hegemon that collaborated with friendly nations through multilateral frameworks, democratic values, and the provision of public goods, to a hegemon that, under the banner of “America First,” provides public goods selectively and pursues its own interests through power and coercion. As a result, Southeast Asia and India have tilted toward China and Russia, while unity among U.S. allies and Western countries has also weakened, ultimately undermining U.S. hegemony.


• Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, there have been voices suggesting that Taiwan will be the next “Ukraine,” but such arguments are entirely nonsensical. In recent years, China has made efforts to maintain peace and balance in East Asia.


• Although there are many challenges between Japan and China, it is important for the two countries to promote a “strategic and mutually beneficial relationship” in a comprehensive manner and to work together across all fields and at all levels to build a “constructive and stable relationship.