In their first bilateral meeting on August 7, 2017, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meetings, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi criticized his new Japanese counterpart, Taro Kono, for not being like his father, a former political heavyweight who placed importance on improving relations with Asian countries. After meeting Taro Kono he said “I was disappointed. Your father was an honest politician. When he talked about history, he spoke from the heart. When we knew that you would become foreign minister, many of us held high expectations.” However, he added, “Frankly speaking, I was disappointed when I heard your remarks in the EAS foreign ministers’ meeting today. The remarks were completely like a mission the United States assigned to you.” Wang Yi had told the Chinese media, “I wanted to know (Taro) Kono’s real way of thinking, diplomatic ideas and what he learned from his father (Yohei). While listening to his remarks, I felt that I can speak frankly with him.”Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Kono had earlier told Wang Yi in their 50-minute bilateral meeting that “It is necessary for China to learn how to behave as a major power.” Kono also said, “We support the Freedom of Navigation Operation the US is conducting (to counter China).”


(Comment: Taro Kono's father, Yohei Kono, also a former foreign minister, is widely known for the statement he issued under his name as chief Cabinet secretary in 1993. In the official statement, Japan admitted to military involvement in the use of “comfort women” before and during World War II.)