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200-strong Japanese business delegation visits China

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China welcomes this visit because Japanese investment is down 43% from last year. China tried to use its economy as a weapon against Japan and it worked to a certain extent, but they forgot it works both ways and right now the Chinese economy is hurting because of that and for many other reasons. Now they are trying--albeit clumsily without "losing face"--to repair relations with Japan. Whether it will work or not remains to be seen; maybe they should reflect on the fact that up to 40 years ago the economies of all developed countries got along without China very well; we were all better off then. One of the biggest mistakes of modern times was "engaging" with a dictatorial, corrupt, repressive regime like China's/

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan is not a trustworthy trading party(price fixing arrests etc) and China doesn't need them at all. These 200 going begging may help a little. But as noted above tiny Singapore invests 5 times more than Japan. And Singapore is a free and wide open market where anyone can sell. Japan blocks 3/4th of their economy and that is why food and everyday products cost far more than in free countries.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Business and politic don’t mix.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

china gov: See? japan begs at us. we r always right. senkaku is ours, south china sea is ours, no matter what we do to them they will always need us. we r the bos.

citizens (both countries): we just want to do business and make a living

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Are they really wanted to put new investment in Communist China?

Communist China does not exist, as China is not at all communist.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Chinese communism differ than old Soviet. there are bunch of multi millionaires and billionaires who own industries. You can spot them in Macoa, Singapore and Malayasia. Just visit luxury high rise building casinos, You can spot them betting huge (in my money standard).

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Abe is the best present for China. In just 2 years he has made China work so much harder to made great friends throughout the world whilst his arrows misfire and the Japanese yen plunges and continue to plunge. Ask the heads of Japanese enterprises and they will tell you that Abe has destroyed the trust that they built in China for 20 years in less than 2 years. Business are all going to the US, EU and Asian countries except Japan. In China, GM, Samsung, Mercedes, Phillips, Carrefour, IKEA, Volkswagen, Louis Vuitton etc. etc. have all grown, thanks to Abe. In the first half of 2014, Japan's investment in China is only a fifth of Singapore's investment! How more pathetic can you get? I hope these 200 businessmen get to meet Xi and try to reverse the trend otherwise the price Japan pays will simply be too heavy. Hopefully Abe goes quickly!

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Are they really wanted to put new investment in Communist China?

Do they only know Communist China as only place to invest their money on the earth?

Yes, Communist China 1.4 Billions population can be mouthwatering for Japanese Companies but they must know about Communist Chinese Government takes their new investment as add on value for to blackmail on Japanese Government and Japanese peoples.

Even dog don’t come and eat foods from hands of abuser who beaten him earlier. I have many Chinese friends and I like them but I don’t like the way Communist Government behaving like child.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

EthanWilberSep. 22, 2014 - 09:15PM JST China is Japan's biggest trading partner. You could say that the 2 countries are inseparable.

They are separable. Many other countries, such as EU led by Germany, South Korea, Taiwan, India, and other emerging Southeast Asian countries can fill the gap of Japan. Japan only represents 9% of China’s overall trade. By comparison, China accounted for 21% of Japan’s exports and imports.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Japan is always trying to have good relation with every country.

What fantasy world are you living in? Japan regularly does things that hurt its relations with other countries. Things like visiting Yasukuni, and denying culpability in the comfort women issue. If Japan was trying to have good relations with other countries, it would not do these things.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Ethan,

Japan is a weaker and declining party, it has little choice but to be practical

I don't think Abe visits the shrine before APEC, but he has to visit next year or end of this year. It is very important for Japanese to pay respect to ancestors' souls. It is a tradition. It has nothing to do with Japan's economy or being practical.

Japan is always trying to have good relation with every country. But China and SK are two very difficult countries. But thanks to APEC, China has softened its attitude, which opportunity Japan doesn't want to ruin. After APEC how China would change? We hope China maintains its softer stance.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Ehtan

Abe is a "political nationalist." He will continue to visit Yasukuni.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

From standpoint of views in terms of geopolitics and economy, Japan is a weaker and declining party (of course, not many Japanese want to admit that), it has little choice but to be practical. In addition, with mideast region and Ukraine on the front burner, the US would also like Japan to play softer tones with its big neighbor as well.

The fact of matter is that Abe’s admin has been privately shifting its original positions, a lot. Take Abe for example, he may not visit war-criminal festered shrine, any time soon. Why ? the political climate has force him to adept the reality even he does not openly admit.

If anyone looks for the evidence for the rebranded Abe, looking no further, his expected speech in UN this week will give further signs of his “redemption”. I put my bet on him to talk more about the perspective female work-force in Japan than his usual neighbor threat this year. :)

1 ( +4 / -3 )

EthanWilber I know some diplomatic crative scenario is underway toward APEC. It is China that has realization. China wants to make APEC a success. Japan is seeing it an oppotunity for a good relation. Japan hasn't changed a bit.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

They should change the part where it says "200 Japanese businessmen are asking for a meeting", to "200 Japanese businessmen are begging for a meeting". That's way more accurate.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Tina, You may be right about what he said before. But here is a chatch, he also said "

China is Japan's biggest trading partner. You could say that the 2 countries are inseparable. Of course, countries with common borders tend to have various problems between them. But because there are problems and challenges, I believe it is all the more necessary to engage in dialogue, especially dialogue between leaders.”. Now, without touching "senkaku islands

", the romote rocks, Abe is hoping to be flexible for his previous position with softer tonem meeting Xi in half way.

There is a possible diplomatic creative scenario that is working in process by both sides now, when Abe drop senkaku name before the word " dispute" he and Xi can talk becuase Xi has the precondion to demand Abe to admit the there is dispute on the Japan controled island. If Abe broadly mention the word dispute without specificly touching senkaku , everybody in the jam could save faces. That creative way to say thing might set the chain actions in motion.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Reading between the scripted lines, one certianly can see Abe's realization.

EthanWilber, Abe has been saying the same thing all along. It is China and SKorea that's bullying and refusing Japan.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Probably along the lines of," WTF?! Let's drop the BS and get on with business!"

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The most effective action to better the relationships of Japan and China and S.Korea is Abe's resignation. Otherwise whatever the effort is, Abe will destroy it.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Japanese Business and politicians must not lecturre about China to India. when they themselves go hoping for an appointment. with Chinese President

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

It’s becoming apparent that Japanese business community as a whole has a better sense in terms of reality than that Abe’s admin does. It knows that the nationalistic nonsense of disputed rocks has put considerable damages over Japan’s business vultures’ investments since 2012 and worse Japanese market shares in China have been slowly and surely give away their grounds. On tiop of that, the much hyped South Asian’s markets are still years’ away if it ever reaches project potentials given the enormous hurdles lie ahead including, their combined population and purchasing power in that region.

After Abenomic’s recent setbacks, hawkish Abe seems coming to the terms, yesterday, J-govt’s mouthpiece, NHK, conduct an exclusive interview with Abe. When being asked about tie between Japan and China, Abe said

“I hope to improve Japan-China relations. I believe China's peaceful development presents an opportunity for Japan. When my first administration was launched, I visited Beijing soon after taking office. I reached an agreement on forging a "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests" with Hu Jintao, who was China's president at the time.

China is Japan's biggest trading partner. You could say that the 2 countries are inseparable. Of course, countries with common borders tend to have various problems between them. But because there are problems and challenges, I believe it is all the more necessary to engage in dialogue, especially dialogue between leaders.”

Reading between the scripted lines, one certianly can see Abe’s realization. Hopefully, Abe can score a Summit in Nov. and neighbors would be able to put the past behind and working on peace and prosperity once again.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Somehow with the current political climate I can't imagine the Chinese will let the Japanese meet the President without paying tribute (technology transfer and bribes) and being ready to kowtow (give in to demands - territorial etc). The Chinese intend to subjugate Japan along with the rest of East Asia bit by bit.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Japanese citizens don't need a visa for a short time visits of max. 2 weeks.

Yes, we know.The point is Japan does not allow Chinese business people to come for a short business trip.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

t's interesting that 200 could visit, getting a visa at the airport with no hassles at all.

Japanese citizens don't need a visa for a short time visits of max. 2 weeks.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

We are requesting meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang, but we've not received a response yet, said the official of the group headed by Toyota Motor honorary chairman Fujio Cho.

Who's holding the cards there?

3 ( +9 / -6 )

It's interesting that 200 could visit, getting a visa at the airport with no hassles at all. But a Chinese businessman has to wait for over a month to get a visa, an interview, has to have a sponsor submit all the paperwork and a detailed itinerary of where they are staying, every activity and the names of everyone they have meetings scheduled with every day.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

headed for Beijing on an annual visit that dates back to 1975,

Been going on for 30 odd years and Tessa you say its now cap in hand?

Surely you need to read the full article and understand before making inane comments.

2 ( +8 / -5 )

What a shortsighted comment, Tessa. These are the men who control Japan's money, not the politicians. It's a nice, friendly reminder to Xi Jinping that his demagoguery against Japan can only go so far until China begins to feel an economic pinch. Hopefully Xi will get the right message and direct his propagandists and agitators to direct their self-righteous ire at some other target. Albania, perhaps?

-1 ( +6 / -8 )

Cap in hand, eh? How the mighty have fallen.

-1 ( +9 / -9 )

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