Sino-Japanese relations thawing

[Puppycow]

Fukuda keeps thaw with China on track

After several years of tense relations with Japan under Junichiro Koizumi, Sino-Japanese relations now seem to be improving somewhat. Neither Shinzo Abe, Koizumi's successor, nor Abe's successor Yasuo Fukuda have visited Yasukuni shrine, the main sore spot in the two countries' relationship.

JINAN, China — Shinzo Abe's trip to China as prime minister in October 2006 was dubbed "the ice-breaking trip" to mend diplomatic relations damaged by predecessor Junichiro Koizumi. Then came Premier Wen Jiabao's "thawing-ice visit" to Japan last April.

Now relations have reached what Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda described as "the coming of spring" during his first official trip to China from Thursday to Sunday.

Relations between the region's two powerhouses were chilled during the five years Koizumi was in office because of his annual visits to contentious Yasukuni Shrine, which enshrines convicted Class-A war criminals.

Fukuda's four-day visit was full of events marked by exceptional hospitality, including a joint news conference Friday by Fukuda and Wen — believed to be the first held together by the two countries' leaders — and playing catch with a baseball on Saturday.

Japanese flags were raised along the streets near Tiananmen Square in Beijing, and at the hotels in Beijing and Shandong Province where Fukuda stayed.

Analysts are amazed at how dramatically bilateral ties have improved in such a short period. But at the same time, they see the friendly mood demonstrated at the top level as an indication both governments are trying to keep strong public emotions — that can quickly overheat — under wraps.

I think that Koizumi, who had promised to visit Yasukuni before becoming PM, hadn't anticipated the magnitude of the negative reaction it would provoke. However, once he did it, it would have been difficult for him to back down. However, his successors have learned, it seems, from his example, and have avoided touching this particular sore spot. It seems to me like the wisest course. I think, and hope, that China will evolve into a country that is modern and respectful of human rights, if it is treated with respect and engaged with. Taking a adversarial or confrontational stance against China would be counterproductive, I believe. Japan seems to realize this. Hopefully the US will realize it too.

 

[Matteo Martini]

Fukuda keeps thaw with China on track

After several years of tense relations with Japan under Junichiro Koizumi, Sino-Japanese relations now seem to be improving somewhat. Neither Shinzo Abe, Koizumi's successor, nor Abe's successor Yasuo Fukuda have visited Yasukuni shrine, the main sore spot in the two countries' relationship.



I think that Koizumi, who had promised to visit Yasukuni before becoming PM, hadn't anticipated the magnitude of the negative reaction it would provoke. However, once he did it, it would have been difficult for him to back down. However, his successors have learned, it seems, from his example, and have avoided touching this particular sore spot. It seems to me like the wisest course. I think, and hope, that China will evolve into a country that is modern and respectful of human rights, if it is treated with respect and engaged with. Taking a adversarial or confrontational stance against China would be counterproductive, I believe. Japan seems to realize this. Hopefully the US will realize it too.

Only a good thing.
China is becoming increasingly powerful both economically and militarly.
I would not think that Japan needs such an enemy.
Japanese should stop understating their role in attacking China before WWII