politics

Abe calls for frank talks with China, South Korea

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Again Abe calls China and Korea to have a sit down, again these two other nations will say no as they are happier and it serves their purpose more to not have talks and to continue with the name calling.

Japan again shows it's maturity while the other two will act like brats again.

0 ( +12 / -12 )

If what Abe has been doing as of late is "mature" then the definition for maturity has slipped considerably in recent years. You can't expect people to shake your right hand when you are constantly slapping them with your left. I am not saying that this summit is a bad idea, I just sincerely question how genuine the gesture is when Abe has been intentionally provoking the rest of Asia as of late. It is a shame that Japan followed Germany's bad example in the second World War, but can't bring itself to follow the good example they set afterwards (at least as of late they have been incapable of admitting to their criminal wartime acts). In order for there to be genuine healing Abe needs to go.

0 ( +10 / -10 )

Abe is a troublemaker !

-7 ( +6 / -13 )

Credit where credit is due. Abe is a shrewd politician (either that or he has smart advisors, but I digress).

If China and SK accept Abe's gesture, that shows he can do whatever satisfies his nationalistic agenda and still get away with it.

If China and SK reject Abe's gesture (which they will), that makes Abe look like Japan is the only one prepared for dialogue, and supporters of Japan will have a field day.

Leave aside who's winning the political chess in Asia. I lament the deterioration in relations between Asian countries since about 2007. I think we all got along much better prior to Abe coming to power that year. I'm not pointing a finger at Japan alone because SK and China are just as culpable, but 2007 was a bit of a watershed year for various reasons.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

You mean fresh off his African "isolate China" tour? Once again he slaps people in the face and then asks them to sit down for talks as though his hand was offended.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

I can only see it end bad when all three countries are notoriously bad at communication and stubborn.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

LOL... he sure likes to play this scam. But it is getting to be ludicrous.

He says if they all sit down together, then he can explain and make them understand that his visits to Yasukuni is OK.

By that statement alone, we all know this meeting he insists on, is just simply a waste of time.

Just ignore him, he's just a troll.

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

You mean fresh off his African "isolate China" tour?

What total nonsense! Africa is not reserved for only Chinese investment, whatever they and you may think.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

spman2099Jan. 19, 2014 - 06:58PM JST You can't expect people to shake your right hand when you are constantly slapping them with your left. I am not >saying that this summit is a bad idea, I just sincerely question how genuine the gesture is when Abe has been >intentionally provoking the rest of Asia as of late.

Slapping? Visiting a shrine that has names of dead people written down is slapping? China and South Korea are not "rest of Asia". Rest of Asia don't have an anti-Japan policy and couldn't care less if a JP PM visits a shrine in his own country.

Mitch CohenJan. 19, 2014 - 08:28PM JST

Agree completely. Abe has them by the short hairs on this one.

If China and SK accept Abe's gesture, that shows he can do whatever satisfies his nationalistic agenda and still get >away with it.

Looking at China and South Korea's response to his visit, I seriously consider that Abe has shown that he CAN do as he wishes. In a world where actual physical conflict from the Senkakus ,China's ADIZ, China's Fishing regulations in the South China Sea are prominent on people's minds, harping on Yasukuni and WWII has moved to the "so what?" category in the world outside of China and South Korea.

If China and SK reject Abe's gesture (which they will), that makes Abe look like Japan is the only one prepared for >dialogue, and supporters of Japan will have a field day.

It goes farther than a field day, it shows the entire world that Japan is acting in a mature rational manner whereas China and South Korea are acting in a childish manner and resisting efforts to resolve differences. Personally I think Abe wanted China to react more intensely, maybe some demonstrations, store smashings, people getting beat up, as that would double the sense of China's threat and help him push through his agenda at home with greater ease. I am also sure that the US is in on this. China however didn't take the bait and is left with a propaganda war which I see Japan countering on the same level.

chucky3176Jan. 19, 2014 - 10:44PM JST Just ignore him, he's just a troll.

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

Frank talks means just that. Let the big boys sit down behind closed doors and sort it out. I don't understand why some of you pro and anti Japan people are against it. I'd "frank talks" without the diplomatic BS were held more often in history many ways would have been avoided. I can't see how these proposed talks could make things worse.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Ossan: "It goes farther than a field day, it shows the entire world that Japan is acting in a mature rational manner whereas China and South Korea are acting in a childish manner..."

Ah... so he's being 'mature' by goading his neighbours and then trying to play nice, but you agree with mitchcohen that he is merely being sly? Give it up. You don't say six months before hand you're going to "visit the war shrine if China doesn't listen to Japan" then go visit it and say it's "for peace". Only complete morons believe what Abe is doing is anything beyond nationalism and bringing back the days of Japan's past. Again, slapping someone in the face and then saying, "Hey, I'm the victim here! Let's talk!" only looks good to people who are too busy staring at a single tree to see the forest.

Chooky88: "I can't see how these proposed talks could make things worse."

Because all Abe wants is the complete capitulation of China and South Korea on issues he has exacerbated almost single-handedly, and when they don't meet his demands he'll walk out saying, "I tried, but -- guffaw, chortle -- they won't see eye-to-eye. Now, please, I have to go to India (to isolate China)!" and right-wing nuts here will lap it up and say Abe is a strong leader (for playing the victim).

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

Smithjapan what maturity has china and korea shown? Absolutely NONE lately.

So Abe is showing maturity by calling for frank talks, perhaps that is difficult for your biased mind to grasp but it is in fact the reality.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Our former PM Mr Lee Kuan Yew compares Xi Jinping to Mandela and commented that Japan is strolling into mediocrity. Well there are obviously people in Japan who think Abe is mature and Xi to be a spoilt brat. The international community will decide who is mature and who is out to stir trouble! Abe May still turn around if China continues to bring the debates to the international community. Recent editorials in the international press seem to be slighting Abe! I therefore doubt if China and SK will speak to Japan.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I understand why Mr Abe does this. He wants it on the public record that PRC has rebuffed any and all reasonable attempts at discussion. So far I think he has them on record refusing to meet twice, so this will be three when the communists predictably reject him again tomorrow. PRC perhaps doesn't realize how foolish they look in the international community when, being given multiple chances to solve their problems through dialogue, the PRC instead opts to order all CCP officials stationed around the world to begin an crude and amateur pr effort against Japan.

Still having recognized that, I really hope this is the last time he extends the offer. Recent behavior by communist leadership shows they aren't fit to be in the room with rational people. No point in meeting PRC officials unless the Japanese are willing to a) alter doctrine in their indigenous religion b) grant final editorial say on public school textbooks to a panel of the grandchildren of WW2 victims c) renounce sovereignty over various islands and cede control of vast swaths of sea and sky to the commies. And probably pay some more money too, yeah, that would be good. And another apology. More grovelling this time.

Since the Japanese rightly won't be doing any of that, there can be little point in any discussion with PRC.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

StormR: "Smithjapan what maturity has china and korea shown? Absolutely NONE lately."

Abe has shown ZERO maturity lately, and the fact that you cannot admit that says a lot. I can fully admit the other two nations amongst these three haven't been mature either -- it's children playing in a sandbox, with the US sitting back laughing and cashing in on weapons sales and increased presence. It's only people like yourself that suggest Japan is being mature while one of the masterminds behind the current increased tensions has done NOTHING, and I mean that, NOTHING, to back up his (what's this, fifth time after antagonizing?) desire for talks. Go to Yasukuni, then "I want to talk". Go to other nations with the express purpose of cutting of China, then "I want to talk". 'What comfort women', then "I want to talk". 'Let's renounce article 9 so we can defend against China, then "I want to talk". 'There was no Nanjing', then, "I want to talk". Abe doesn't want to talk -- he wants others to listen. Yeah, very mature. Less mature still is the usual "with us or against us" mentality that if I am against Abe's actions I am therefore with China's or South Korea's. Go back to the sandbox -- I'll stay with the adults and watch.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Abe doesn't show any sincerity to have talks with Japan's neighbors, instead he set barriers himself by his shameless doings again and again. Obviously he is trying to cheat Japanese people, and blar sth talks face to face under the pressure from Obama.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Need some “frank” summit talks with USA too?

Special Aid to Prime Minister Koichi Hagiuda, re US administration expressing "disappointed" over Abe's visiting of Yasukuni shrine, said during a private gathering “- - things such as tripping up others had never occurred during Republican Administrations. It happens only under Democratic government, under Obama Administration. To that ??, Ambassador Kennedy paid a courtesy call on Banri Kaieda, Representative of Democratic Party and LDP’s political foe, in his office at Nagata-cho.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I guess Abe has realized the world's opinion of him.Pathetic.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Here is the summit talk:

Team China: Ok. I say it's time for some Tan tan man with some Peking duck.

Team KoreA: No! we need spicy. Gotta stick to shin ramen!

Team Abe: We ate too many tan tan or shin ramen last few meetings. Not this time.! Miso ramen only! with butteR~

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called Sunday for “frank” summit talks with China and South Korea to help solve historical and territorial disputes

Before the summit talks, Abe has already told others to Shut Up. I will do what I wants. The outcome of summit will be fruitless anyway. He has already told press Japan will not give up any single centi-meter of Senkaku or Takeshima.

He wanted to portray himself Mr nice guy for diplomatic approach. He is nothing like high ranking official. He has demonstrated himself as drunken sailor who was looking for trouble. No wonder Park and Xi are reluctant to meet him. Let alone talking with him.

If China and SK ignored him, he will call the press "Look at that. China and SK are nasty, hostile and immature neighbors. They have never wanted to talk with me. They have never appreciated my sincerity and honesty." For the media, he will become mother Theresa.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

South Korea should be honest and say that they are unable to talk to Abe as a leader, and insist that if he stepped down and resigned they would be willing to meet with his successor. Simply put, it needs to be made clear, we are willing to talk to "Japan" but not Abe

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Only shinzo Abe is Japan, other's are descendants of Toraijin, pure Chinese. Talk to them? Better talk to yourself.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Oh, and I should say, China should make the same offer as well. It`s clear that as far as international credibility is concerned, Abe is a lame duck. The sooner he steps down for someone more principled the better

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

South Korea should be honest and say that they are unable to talk to Abe as a leader, and insist that if he stepped down and resigned they would be willing to meet with his successor.

Or more profitably, Japan could declare that they are unable to meet with pseudo-communist tyrants. Once PRC can meet the lowest standards of international decency and freedom, then Japan would be willing to talk. See how foolish your idea sounds now?

Also, laughable for you to suggest we can expect "honest" leadership from ROK. Here we have a country that thinks nothing of having its PM sit down on the BBC for a half hour of fairy tales and fibs.

Before the summit talks, Abe has already told others to Shut Up ...

.... about the internal matters of Japan. As he learned to do very well from hearing the communists trot out that excuse every time someone questioned their behavior over the last fifty years.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Abe may want the talks, but he wants to placate his party's right more...his actions rather than his words show his true priorities.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Abe shows smiles and looks friendly on the outside but inside chides and disrespects Korea and China becoming globally influential. He goes to a shrine which China and Korea pleaded not to go and claims it's all for peace and respect to neighbors. Now that US and EU is despising Japan's position, ABE wants to look friendly to Korea and Chna once again only on the outside.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Abe is politically dead. Even the Americans despise hime. He has only Putin to suck up to now these days. But Putin is a proud Russian, and a proud Russian is not a friend of the Japanese. Never could be.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

He has only Putin to suck up to now these days.

True, I guess thats why he has refused to shun the Sochi olympics, even after all the furor about the gay propaganda law. He wants in Putins good books. Abe is politically dead, and the sooner his party jettisons him the better.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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