Prime Minister Ishiba's first meeting with Xi Jinping in Peru revealed China's strategic pivot, with Beijing seeking closer ties with Japan as insurance against Trump's potential return. The morning papers highlighted Xi's careful engagement, avoiding eye contact during ceremonial handshakes while praising "mutual benefits."
By midday, Trump's transition team declined Ishiba's meeting request, citing a blanket policy against pre-inauguration meetings with foreign leaders. This development coincided with the establishment of a Japan-US-Korea coordination office, Biden's attempt to institutionalize trilateral cooperation before leaving office.
In domestic developments, the JR freight train derailment near Hakodate disrupted the Hokkaido transport network, with broken rails identified as the cause. SMFG announced a ¥50 billion AI investment program, while reports emerged of welfare recipient numbers halving over ten years due to stricter guidance practices.