Japan Will Not Join U.S.’s Anti-China Trade Alliance

Japan intends to refrain from participating in an anti-China trade alliance led by the United States due to the importance of its trade relationship with China, former and current Japanese government officials told Bloomberg on Friday.

• China is Japan’s largest trading partner and a crucial source of raw materials.

Trade war: The U.S. has signaled its willingness to negotiate during a 90-day pause on “reciprocal” tariffs it imposed on various nations around the world, including Japan and excluding China.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has already announced that Japan would not make any “big concessions” to the U.S. ahead of the termination of the 90-day pause. However, Japanese officials are hoping to finalize an agreement with the U.S. in June.

The U.S. has not made any specific request for Japan to join a trade bloc against China, but Japanese officials said such a request is likely and, should it happen, “Tokyo would prioritize its own interests.”

Losing a friend: For decades, Japan has relied heavily on its robust economic and military alliance with America. But increasing regional tensions and America’s unpredictable leadership are awakening Japan’s latent desire for autonomy. The nation is preparing to move out of the U.S.’s orbit.

Allied with China: Deep animosity still persists between Japan and China. But the Bible prophesies that Japan will soon break fully from the U.S. and join an alliance of Asian nations headed by Russia and China. This alliance will play a pivotal role in a coming catastrophic global war.

To learn more, read Russia and China in Prophecy.