politics

Abe makes fresh call for Japan-China summit

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"quiet effort" to ease tensions? i don't think any "quiet" effort strategy will ease tensions, it probably makes it more complicated.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Now that the U.S., which has for many years pressed Japan to bear a heavier security burden in Asia, has a nationalistic Japanese leader Abe who is committed to constitutional revision and a larger, more active military, the alliance has a anti-China look that is obviously incompatible with a “new type” of Japan-China relationship. PM Abe may talk about engaging China, but all the signals from Japan suggest disengagement. It also doesn’t help matters that Abe’s positions have embittered Japan’s relations with South Korea. The territorial issue is deeply enmeshed in the overall negative state of China-Japan relations. I can’t imagine that it can be resolved without prior improvement in the relationship as a whole. Once the two sides lower their hostile rhetoric and start to engage diplomatically, it should be possible to deal with the territorial question either by a code of conduct to prevent military activity in the Senkaku/Diaoyo area or by a sharing of resources there.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Must be uncomfortable for China and it's prevailing metanarrative when Japan make constructive and friendly overtures towards them.

I doubt it will be reported too widely in China.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Abe makes fresh call for Japan-China summit

China right now thinks it doesn't need Japan, but when their ride is over and things turn for them (and it will) they will make it seem as it was Japan that didn't want to talk. Happens every time an adult tries to do business with an immature person.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

@jerseyboy All your rant proves is that China has a lot of poor people. No one in the the west will seriously consider buying a Chinese designed car.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

@tinawatanabe

Maybe Abe could learn from Chancellor Merkel advise on how Germany dealth with sensitivity of their neighbors after the WWII. German Chancellor and their lawmakers do not visit Nazi Cemetary. However, the Japanese government does not interfere with Abe and their 150+ lawmakers visits to Yasukuni to pray for 14 Class A every year. It would be meaningless for Japan's neighboring countries to talk about the future when they are paying tribute to such a place.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

@Strangerland Well, just as China can ignore global society about democracy, so can Japan about Yasukuni. The chi-com supporters here have only proven the point that China has preconditions for meeting. If China truly wanted peace it would stop playing the victim card and just sit down at the table.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

China is/was Japan's biggest export market. Declining Chinese imports from Japan is hurting Japan bad. Japan has been running a trade deficit for 2 to 3 years, instead of trade surplus in the past. The international balance of payments, also called current account, is increasingly in the RED, or NEGATIVE. How can PM Abe expects better relations with China when he is trying to get other Asian countries to line up against China militarily ? How can he expects better relations by OPENING UP OLD WOUNDS, by bringing up the issues of comfort women, World War Two atrocities, etc. ? He needs to fire the people who advise him on foreign policy .

1 ( +6 / -5 )

“Because we have issues, we have to have dialogue without any precondition,”

Sorry, Abe, but that is itself a pre-condition. As for 'quiet', it's pretty clear he wants no mention of any of the things he's done to exacerbate ties, nor any mention of the island issue (as he thinks it's a non-issue despite thinking all of the other island issues are). In short, he wants China to sit down and listen to Japan's demands, and to 'cooperate' and 'understand'.

"Quiet" talks... hahaha!

0 ( +11 / -12 )

the reality is that Japan needs China much more than the reverse.

While that's true, China would go through a lot of hurt if Japanese companies pulled out altogether. The fact is that the two countries do a large amount of trade with each other, and both countries would hurt lots without this business.

China is smart enough to know that Japanese voters will soon sour on Abe, and a new PM will come in, and since that may be in their best interests, they are not going to give Abe a foreign-relations victory.

I agree. And wish them luck with this 'pressure' as well.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

@Papi2013 Oh it is Japan that brings up the past, huh, Papi? There was a story here about what amounts to WW2 theme parks in China where people can live out their country's fictional glory days.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Here comes again, sfjp330 brings up the past. You shouldn't blame Japan's national anthem or national flags or shrines because they were in Japan long before war. Why didn't you complain about them for a long time after war? You should realize by now you are product of anti-Japan education. That's your problem. Japan wants to be friend with China and SK , but no hope as long as you interfere Japan's centuries old tradition.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

@tinawatanabe

The real message of the war criminals being enshrined at Yakasuni is that no matter what you do, no matter how much suffering you inflict, if you have Japanese blood in your veins you are ok. On the other hand if you are foreigner, no matter how much they have suffered it is not important, you are not Japanese. Considering the suffering inflicted on neighboring Asian countries by Japan is it so hard to call them the 'invasions' that they are rather than 'advances'? If Hiroshima and Nagasaki are crimes then surely Japan's wartime actions are also crimes, why is it so easy for Japanese people to acknowledge A-bomb victims and so hard to acknowledge Asian victims of Japan's wartime aggression? Simple, The A-bomb victims were Japanese and therefore important and the others were foreign and therefore less than human and unimportant. That is the underlying fact that is hard to move beyond that for Japan.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

sfjp Japan has never criticized US officials visiting Arlington. And in Yasukuni it is not only Japanese that are enshrined, but other nationalities as well. Also they enshrines all animals who worked for the wars.

If you are so hard to move on, we are sorry that you are also victim of anti-Japan education like Japanese are victim of anti-Japan education. Maybe someday when your coutry stops anti-Japan education, we can be friend.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

mgglife

If J companies want to hurt themselves, let them.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

smith If you're talking about Shrine-visit, I think you should change your approach because threats do not work. How about going to Int'l court? People in the world behave by rules of laws.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Abe has regularly called for talks with China’s President Xi Jinping—most recently in July—but has been rebuffed by Beijing.

Of course China is playing hard-ball with Abe. And while you may not like it, and may, with some validity, characterize China's actions as "immature", the reality is that Japan needs China much more than the reverse. You saw what happened a while back when China turned up the nationalistic drum-beat, and folks there stopped buying Japanese products, especially cars. And, unfortunately, Abe going to Yasakuni, and sending wishes of support to a ceremony that honored war criminals, just gives them the excuses they need to let Abe stew. Besides, China is smart enough to know that Japanese voters will soon sour on Abe, and a new PM will come in, and since that may be in their best interests, they are not going to give Abe a foreign-relations victory.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

tinawatanabe

stupid guy, look at the fate of Sony and other Japanese electronic companies, you will know.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Any evidence?

tina -- you are joking, right? How about the fact that China's economy is already larger than Japan's, while Japan's population is shrinking and aging. Just take automobiles, which is so important to Japan's economy --China's auto market is already over twice the size of Japan's. Please, look at things objectively, as opposed to just pure patriotic lenses.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

@jerseyboy All your rant proves is that China has a lot of poor people. No one in the the west will seriously consider buying a Chinese designed car.

Maybe, but those poor people are rapidly a HUGE middle-class that is much larger tha Japan's. And if they don't buy a Japanese car, they will gladly buy one from GM or Ford, or VW.

You guys often say Japan needs China more than the reverse. I don't see the point of the argument. I want all J companies to pull out of China and SK and go somewhere else, and it seems it is the trend.

That is without question the best example of cutting off your nose to spite your face I have read lately. Hard to have an intelligent debate with someone who is so blinded by pure ideology.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Sorry, Abe, but that is itself a pre-condition.

No it's not.

And if Japan 'demands' something from China, it would be something refereshing for it's always been the other way around.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Abe must be joking right? In a few years, China's economy will be 3-4X larger than Japan's, while Japan will struggle at best to even keep a positive growth rate... It's not like Japan makes crap (they make the best things in the world). Only, their prices don't really align with the world's needs.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Granted, Abe’s diplomatic skillset is limited, which has caused him a bundle. However, with his pleas become more often and more earnest (during his UN trip this year, not a single occurrence, Abe swiped at Japan’s nemesis). It’s possible, he might have a chance to meet Xi in Nov.

Let’s face it, Japan is a weaker and increasingly less relevant player in the world. Even Abe admin’s does not cove in, the future admin(s) would have to accommodate major players’ demands sooner and later. The reality is that not all countries created equal. It’s just facts of geopolitics.

To make peace with China will benefit Japan than the other way aorund in long run.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

To make peace with China will benefit Japan than the other way aorund in long run.

Japan agrees, and that's why Japan's asking for a summit mtg with Xi.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

tinawatanabe,

please notice that many people here want to tell you what is right what is wrong, you just keep playing stubborn.

whatever the situation or relationship changes, chasing benefits is the only right thing, Japan is the ally of the USA, but hasn't learn this well, the USA is the expert in this area.

Look at India, S.korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, UK, Franch, Germany, all these nations have dispute territories or against China's ideology, but they all have trade with China. especially the USA. No country here like Japan to try to hurt itself companies.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Abe is clever, If WW III becomes reality, Japan will not be blamed by other countries. If not, USA worry if CJK increase Asian power in the world, While Obama is stuck and can not move away from middle east problems, Abe making friends with resource rich countries in the world. Xi might go along with Abe as China;s economic powers have been pressing Xi to work wth Japan and his wife is a friend of Abe's wife. Asia's biggest economy power countries have different Women power than SK.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Yes, it is, and perhaps you should look up the meaning of 'pre-condition' if you can't see that. As for saying it would be 'refreshing' to see Japan demand things from China than vice-versa, well, that just says a lot about you for desiring something you chide constantly. Well done.

I did. Perhaps it's you who should look up the definition. As for the second sentence, it clearly shows how clueless you have been with these past bilateral talks. Lame as usual smith

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Abe's proposal to meet Zu has nothing to do with yen as Cahiba did bot weaken yeb,

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

It doesn't help the situation when Japan constantly brings up the past and try to beautify it.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

It doesn't help the situation when Japan constantly brings up the past and try to beautify it.

Papi, When did Japan brings up the past and try to beautify it? All over the world know that it is China and SK that are doing that all the time. Please think why the two countries are not liked by the world.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

@Papi2013 Oh it is Japan that brings up the past, huh, Papi?

Yes.

There was a story here about what amounts to WW2 theme parks in China where people can live out their country's fictional glory days.

China also brings up the past. The difference is that China was the victim, while Japan was the aggressor.

You shouldn't blame Japan's national anthem or national flags or shrines because they were in Japan long before war. Why didn't you complain about them for a long time after war? You should realize by now you are product of anti-Japan education.

And you are a product of 'Japan as the victim' education.

The anthem and flag may have been used before the war, but that was not relevant to the people who suffered Japan's babarism under that flag and that anthem. If you cannot recognize that, it is because you want to see Japan as a victim, rather than taking responsibility for its aggressions.

Japan wants to be friend with China and SK

Business men in Japan want to be friends with China and SK. Unfortunately the government keeps torpedoing these efforts.

Japan has never criticized US officials visiting Arlington.

Why would they? There are no convicted war criminals interned at Arlington.

Maybe someday when your coutry stops anti-Japan education, we can be friend.

Maybe someday when Japan starts educating its children on taking responsibility for its aggressions during the war, these countries can be friends.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Abe is as Godsend for US, EU and SK companies in China. Don't take my word for it. Ask the Japanese conglomerates. They use to think Koizumi was bad, but now Abe has really trumped him. China influence in foreign countries has never been better, also thanks to Abe. Whilst Abe pledges $35 billion to Modi, Modi said that it was his great happiness to have spent his birthday with Xi. They even spent a day in Gandhi's home and extol peace. Look at the economic developments in China in the past 2 years. We are not talking just manufacturing, but greening, medical facilities, housing upgrading, infrastructural developments, new schools etc. Abe knows that his actions have spearheaded the 2 nations in different economic and foreign relations directions. The yen will drop to 115 before Christmas and there is nothing Abe can do about it. It is time that the Japanese people act!

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

People in the world behave by rules of laws.

People in the world choose their behavior based on rule of law, AND rule of society. And in this global society, the visits to Yasukuni by Japanese lawmakers are not acceptable. Japanese lawmakers are not legally bound to not visit the shrine, but they will face alienation from other countries if they choose to do so.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Abe is a very clever man indeed. His political actions have purposely destroyed the yen. Look at how fast the yen has fallen since Abe came into power at the end of 2012. A weakened yen means increased exports and economic recovery for Japan! Japan is after all a mostly export country...

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Japanese voters will soon sour on Abe, and a new PM will come in

jerseyboy, Abe is going to be the longest serving PM. His latest approval rate is 64%.

Japan needs China much more than the reverse.

Any evidence? Just because Japan is asking for a meeting doesn't prove anything.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

tinawatanabeSep. 27, 2014 - 07:56AM JSTshrines because they were in Japan long before war. Why didn't you complain about them for a long time after war?

Complain about them for a long time after war? If you didn't know, the 14 class A were enshined at Yasukuni in 1978, and this shrine became more of a problem to the neighbors.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Tamarama: "Must be uncomfortable for China and it's prevailing metanarrative when Japan make constructive and friendly overtures towards them."

Yeah, Abe ONCE AGAIN going on the world stage to talk about wanting bilateral talks is really 'quiet talks', as visiting Yasukuni is 'constructive and friendly' (ah, but that's right, the talks should be quiet of none of Japan's actions discussed in this 'discussion' he wants!). Reminds me of when Japan wanted to sit down quietly with China and 'discuss' the island issue, following it by saying there 'is no issue to discuss and they are Japan's territory'.

Tinawatanabe: Doesn't matter if you want Japan's companies to pull out of China and SK and any other nation people here have a tantrum over and simply based on emotion, financially it would bankrupt Japan, and many companies are already severely hurting by it -- and given that they are the ones with power is why Abe goes on stage and pretends to want sincere discussion, ONLY about Economics, while he turns around and does things that he KNOWS will anger neighbors. The more you get what you want, Tina, in terms of Japan not dealing in or with China/SK, the more you'll be literally begging for their help later.

nigelboy: "No it's not."

Yes, it is, and perhaps you should look up the meaning of 'pre-condition' if you can't see that. As for saying it would be 'refreshing' to see Japan demand things from China than vice-versa, well, that just says a lot about you for desiring something you chide constantly. Well done.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Again the level headed and diplomatic side requests the two sides sit down and work things out, but again the immature side ( China ) will throw back rhetoric and irrelevant vitriol , a bit like some posters on forums.

Forget china stop trading with them, leave them to stew in their own cesspool, we all know what their goal is.

-4 ( +7 / -10 )

But he stressed Tokyo's contribution should be limited to humanitarian support that excludes military contribution.

Lazy as usual.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

mgglife and jerseyboy, Sony and some other J electronic companies were not good even before Abe. China's economy became larger long time ago. J population's shrinking and aging even before Abe. China's market size is bigger because population is 10 times bigger. Abe came only 2 years ago.

You guys often say Japan needs China more than the reverse. I don't see the point of the argument. I want all J companies to pull out of China and SK and go somewhere else, and it seems it is the trend.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

StormR

"Immature side(China)"

Actually, the conflict is used by China, China and S.Korea companies will defeat Japan companies in China market first, and then in other Asia markets. So why China will make a reconciliation?

Actually, Fight with China and keep trading with China is the smart way and can be called mature.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

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