politics

Abe says China's prosperity rests on trust, not tensions

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Mitch CohenJan. 27, 2014 - 08:17AM JST

Much of the current tensions in Asia stemmed from Abe coming into power

What do you mean? What did Abe do?

I can easily list what China did to increase tension in the area.

-China sends armed government boats to Senkakus.

-China started operating an air craft carrier, though it has no remote island territory to protect with an air craft carrier. The carrier is only for offensive purpose.

-China expressed its plans to take the Pasific Ocean west of Hawaii.

-China set overlapping ADIZ, which could cause unwanted armed conflict.

-China has closed door to diplomatic talk with Japan, which leaves the relation in deterioration.

See the reality.

9 ( +18 / -9 )

Abe is completely correct on this issue. For a while there it seemed that China had a chance to evolve and become a "leader" of Asia. Unfortunately, either too many old folks in the politburo didn't want to give up any power or the PLA has gained far more power than it use to have.

7 ( +16 / -9 )

Statements are important, but more important are the deeds.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Mitch CohenJan. 27, 2014 - 08:17AM JST Much of the current tensions in Asia stemmed from Abe coming into power and a decidedly rightward shift in >Japanese politics that followed.

China is the main cause of tensions in Asia right now. Abe may not even come into power if not for China's belligerent behavior. Japan's "rightward shift" is a shift to the center for most countries since Japan was so far to the left for 70 years. Everything that's going on in Japan militarily and diplomatically is a response to China's offensive actions.

BertieWooJan. 27, 2014 - 09:10AM JST Trust. Hmmm. That's why Abe wants to scrap Article 9 of the constitution, rebuild the Japanese military and forced a huge expansion >of bases on Okinawa, against the wishes of the people who live there?

All thanks to China bertie.

4 ( +12 / -8 )

China has been on a military buildup and has been harassing Vietnam, India and the Philippines. Surely you cannot blame Abe for that?

I think the stronger case is that countries around China have been shocked by China's bullying tactics and are forming alliances and constituencies that stand up to China. Japan is just one of those, although the strongest and best able to fight back.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

I was going to respond to some of these posts by the Chinese, and it is just the Chinese blaming Japan here and on all the posts on different sites, meaning to say , they are the minority and polls around the world proves this as well to back up that statement.

But on the topic of trust, and the international community, Japan has proven to be a country all trusts, you have South Korea pivotal on Japan, but I see that as again island disputes and also their trade with China and appeasement to China, Germany making statements about Japan needing to follow in their footsteps as apologizing, again the strong trade relations they have with China, appeasement again. One fact is, even these two countries have not made any statements what so ever that shows they approve or of any support for the actions of China in the East China Sea or South China Sea, and towards all of its neighbors in the region. No one support these actions!!!!! That also includes the move of setting up the new self defense zone. In other words no one supports China on any of these issues and aggressive actions So you want to talk the issue on trust? Abe is right to bring this trust issue to light! No one trusts China and no one supports what China is doing. China and the people of China are like the self enclosed capsule within a large populated world. The minority!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

China should learn that the moon does not shine brighter over China than it does over Japan.

3 ( +4 / -2 )

Abe is completely correct in this statement. WWII has shown how a country using military force to try to secure resources will only lead to trouble. At least Japan has learned that lesson. Hopefully China will too.

The problem is that as long as Abe (or that guy and NHK) keep making the wrong public moves they end up having their message drowned out by people complaining about the obvious faults in Japan rather than thinking about what might happen if China keeps going down this path.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Impossible to "trust" PRC on anything. They will lie and just keep on lying without shame.

I can't understand what Mr Abe expects.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Smithjapan. I have read many of your posts in the past. The problem I have seen such as with your first post here about Abe running around broadcasting to everyone. Has it conveniently slipped your mind the being of broadcasting by China in the New York Times. Why are you always spreading deceitful propaganda? No one in the region would need to be buying and building war ships if the sole escalater in the region... China.. was not continually using aggression and humiliation tactics with its new military power, against everyone in the region, so why do you support being hated by everyone? Is this what you want of your country and your people to be seen as. You want domination over respectability? Well let me say to you, as a people of China, you are dominated by your trash leaders who still rule by force, censorship and all restrictions possible, decided on by only your leaders choice, not the people's choice. Maybe that is why you agree to the principle of domination over others, you have been conditioned as for that being the norm. This shows how far behind in the world you and your people are as a society. There is an alternative, friendship and peace. Have you ever experienced or heard of such words?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

All these Abe quotes are rather obvious truisms. The only thing he may gain from spouting this nonsense is to gain more global media support.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

You say Abe this and Abe that...or even the Japanese politicians are so.. whatever...

Mind if I ask you people.... the politicians in your countries, aren't they almost the same?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Abe says China's prosperity rests on trust, not tensions

Wise words of Abe.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

gelendestrasse

WWII shows us that those who win the knock-down, drag-out total wars get to

-- dominate the international system, -- control the world's resources.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

China believes creating tensions will bring prosperity and just as Abe was talking about trust three Chinese military worships wonder near disputed islands near Malaysia in Sough China sea.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

It is truly a great surprise indeed that Abe has such a word in his dictionary when he so lacks it. He has shown through his actions that he is untrustworthy, dishonest and deceitful. So how does one make out of such a man who now talks about trust? Incredulous and truly unbelievable.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

A lot of these events have taken place by people who have controlled politics around the World from the time of the American revolution. You have to distant yourself from history as we know it because it will not talk about what goes on off the record.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Abe raises by $500, and calls. China folds.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

LOL! Nice Highball

Abenomics is allowed because US is also somewhat supporting it without calling you out on your own manipulation. Once those chips fall, the real punishment will follow and the squeeze will begin. US dollars don't like the Yen to be a safe haven. Believe that.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

*Pax Americana is the best choice for Pacific and East Asia , still now !

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

I laugh at all of this. Davos... a bunch of rich people telling us what's best as they print their way to prosperity. FU

-2 ( +3 / -6 )

What Abe is saying here is actually true. But, China can say EXACTLY the same to Japan, because the ill-considered and short-sighted actions of Abe and others which have provided the Chinese Communist Party, which should not have a leg to stand on, with the ability to claim at least part of the moral high ground. Yes, the same CCP which tramples human rights, has a joke legal system, no freedom of the press or expression, no elections of course, and reveres the biggest mass murderer in world history as its national founding hero! How on earth could Japanese politicians typified by Abe have allowed themselves to hand such an easy diplomatic victory (or at least a draw) to such an unsavoury bunch of crooks?!

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Japan is a longtime ally of the US in Asia, and it will stay that way for foreseeable future.

That being said, let’s not to equate hawkish Abe to Japanese peace-loving public.

For people who are not aware: Washington is seeking assurance from Abe that he will not visit Yasukuni Shrine again as a precondition for Obama to stop Japan on his Asia tour in April. Personally I think Abe will yield to Whitehouse’s pressure because he can’t afford another diplomatic disaster.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

So I think the onus is on Abe to build the "trust"

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I think the main reason why China build up its military is because they need more protection for their expanding economy. If you have plenty of wealth in your house then surely you will need more security isn't it?

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

After that lunacy Abe showed at Davos with the ridiculous and outlandish speech comparing the current situation to then England and Germany, why would anyone care about what Abe says anymore? The guy just can't help himself can he?

Its one thing you piss off the Chinese and Koreans. Then you had to piss off the Americans who warned you to stop your lunacy. After that, you went off to Africa and show your feeble intention when every leaders in African knew of your intent and no only ignored you but tried to take every advantage they can off you.

Then you went off to Davos and embarrass yourself and country with one of the most bogus peace time proclamation about yourself while everyone was demanding to know why Japan is the only one in Asia who is changing its peacetime constitution.

You just can't be two-faced about everything and hope the rest of the world won't see through you. China is clear as day. We know about China and what it wants to do. But Japan is a bit murky at the moment. You want to go right but you got your hands tied. All these provocations to your neighbors are not out of the blue. They are well planned with a few steps ahead to try to mold your own public's opinion. Its clever move but the problem is everyone else sees through it so easily. Its easy to fool your own country but difficult to fool the rest of the world. Especially with one that's closely monitoring you on your every move with access to every part of your country.

John Kerry is the first chip to fall. Next will the Obama. If neither of them visit Japan, what comes next will be very harsh for your economy. Don't forget, Abenomics is allowed because US is also somewhat supporting it without calling you out on your own manipulation. Once those chips fall, the real punishment will follow and the squeeze will begin. US dollars don't like the Yen to be a safe haven. Believe that.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Abe is on his daily rant that China should do this or should do that? What a joke!

Why daily headline news on China? Is China so important to Japan now? And the comedian Abe continues to play his game with irrelevancy in the world stage. It is mainly for local audiences to show he is a big guy, and that Japan is being brought back to its old glorious state with his leadership. Whom is he kidding?

Stir up nationalism is Abe’s strategy. It will help him to buy votes and to smooth out unwanted security legislation so that he and his party can continue their BS to fool the public.

The 3-parties (Japan/Korea/China) talk will soon become the 2-parties talk excluding Japan. It is much easier to replace Japan with Korea but it is not as easy to replace China with other developing countries as the developing countries still have a long way to catch up on a low-cost, hardworking and intelligent workforce with logistics and infrastructure in place to facilitate trade. The getting out of China’s manufacturing will make many Japanese products non-competitive in addition to losing a huge market. That is why Abe still wants to talk nonsense while ranting. Leadership and vision, hardly!

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Japan is a longtime ally of the US in Asia

Just change the word, ally to lapdog and youll have the situation just about right. Im all for Japan to tell the US to get rid of their bases, which they are now paying 2 billion a year to "host". However, first I want to see true atonement and remorse for WW2. At the moment that is non-existent

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

“For China to continue to enjoy economic prosperity, it needs to foster trusting international relationships, not tensions,” Abe said.

It's a two-way street, sir, but then I suppose you know that. However, to say, “Military expansion will contribute nothing to China’s future, its economic growth or prosperity,” is wrong. All you have to do is look at the U.S.'s military-industrial complex to understand it's a true growth factor.

-4 ( +7 / -11 )

Trust.

Hmmm.

That's why Abe wants to scrap Article 9 of the constitution, rebuild the Japanese military and forced a huge expansion of bases on Okinawa, against the wishes of the people who live there?

Trust?

I wonder if he thought up that line all by himself or whether someone handed it to him in a script.

-4 ( +10 / -15 )

I know I'm stating the obvious, but it's pretty clear that Abe just keeps baiting China. This continual stream of statements is just designed to provoke China. My advice to China is just to not take the bait. Just keep waiting and win the propaganda war.

The more Abe and his right-wing friends talk and act, and the more western media covers it, the worse Japan will look.

If China doesn't do anything, wait for Abe to up the ante in words or in manoeuvres near the Senkakus.

Abe's statements combined with the right-wing education the young people are getting is a dangerous mix.

If anyone needs to be given advice, it's Abe.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Good points Adam, people get so caught up in cult personalities

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

" For a while there it seemed that China had a chance to evolve and become a "leader" of Asia. "

Actually, I'd say the same about Japan. Most people have more trust and favourable feelings about Japan.

If Japan was inline with the rest of the world re WW2 and made sure political leaders didn't keep offending and denying the reality of the suffering caused by war-time Japan, they could be leading Asia.

In many ways they are. Japan is a great country, and I love the people. It's sad and frustrating to see it lose it's opportunity.

Can't wait to see what Abe will say about the "Railway Man" movie. No doubt he and others will say that every country did the same.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Probably not. In fact, regarding the moon shining over the two countries, I can`t tell any difference in its brightness

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Abe can build "trust", by promising to never again visit Yasukuni shrine while in political office, to promptly compensate the sex slaves, and to properly teach kids the true history of world war 2. As long as he refuses to do these things, his talk of "trust" is meaningless.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

EthanWilberJan. 27, 2014 - 09:41PM JST For people who are not aware: Washington is seeking assurance from Abe that he will not visit Yasukuni Shrine again >as a precondition for Obama to stop Japan on his Asia tour in April.

Please post a link to this information. Have not been able to find it.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

For anyone who can't really see this is wrong, i am curious about how you handle your friendships. how does this guy say that, but yet go to a shrine that symbolises the pain and anguish put into those peoples hearts. Its wrong on many levels. And for me even saying this, i am going to get thumbs down by the generation of japanese followers who've been incubated.

You can't instigate and agitate a person or people and then say, "hey, lets talk!". I guess that is their strategy. Its a cheap one at that. Its like if i went to a cafe and touched someones girlfriends behind and said, "hey, lets talk about it." Guy has ever right to punch me in the face. But maybe they want to draw out a war. And this too is their strategy.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Is that the justification the US uses for their military expenditure then?

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

The same may be said of Japan.

In reality, Japan does not see China's prosperity as good news, nor does the US. Doesn't matter what you say in PR, China would be foolish to believe it.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Trust is not a one-way street, Abe. So think about that when you're going to every nation under the sun and broadcasting publicly that the express purpose is to isolate China, and doing everything possible to exacerbate ties and build up your military.

-6 ( +13 / -20 )

OssanAmerica : You are so naive. America defeated Japan through nuclear bombs. Well to me USA is more like a gangster receiving money from Tokyo to protect them in Asia Pacific. Anyway dont be naive your boss will fight the battle with China. Second point, economic power always go along together military power because you need military to protect your country from America or Japan invasion. Thirdly, no matter what if Asian cant unite it is idiot because Asian currently is controlling wolrd gdp. Controlling world economy means potential to influence world politics. So again if japan having war with china why should the western country helps?

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

Abe shouldn't question on China military expansion. Did China invade Japan before? Japan did! mind your own country matters. you can purchased and increased military others cannot, Abe pleased bear in mind Japan have a very evil history by killing other nation people. Even South Korean also hates you deeply! no trust on you Abe!

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

I can well understand the military build-up by China based on their experience during WWII. I have great respect & admiration for President Xi Jinping based on his accomplishment since taking office. He needs to insure the protection for people & his country. He uses more diplomacy than making threats toward leaders of foreign countries. Also, he is going after corruption of leaders in his country. In essence he is making various progress to improve the life of his people. Also on the International front he'd rather have peace in lieu of wars. Some foreign politicians believe selling weaponry even to poorer countries is better as it provides more income for politicians & protects their friends from the so-called enemies.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

Abe is a sorry excuse for an individual. A loathsome character who denies comfort women, wartime atrocities and defends dolphin hunting (and selling to theme parks) The sooner he is relegated to obscurity the better. Feel sorry for his wife

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

Yeah, and Japan's economy rests on China!

-8 ( +5 / -13 )

Wish Japanese politicians actually followed what they preached. Like trying for once at not being the major source of mistrust and tension in the region

-8 ( +5 / -13 )

What Abe has done is visit Yasukuni shrine, where 14 war criminals are enshrined against the wishes of his masters, the US. Best able to fight back? Well, that is what Japan pays the US 2 billion dollars a year to do on her behalf, as well as station troops in Okinawa against the wishes of most of the local populace. That, and the nationalisation of the Senkaku / Diaoyu islets. So, with all that in mind, Chinas response shouldnt be too surprising

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

Much of the current tensions in Asia stemmed from Abe coming into power and a decidedly rightward shift in Japanese politics that followed.

Politicians coming out left right and centre that downplay or deny past wrongdoings, the attempts to view Japan's past "in a more positive light" etc.

Abe needs to step down from the pedestal and start practicing what he preaches. He cannot continue provoking their 2 closest neighbours at every opportunity and calling for peace and dialogue the next day.

-10 ( +9 / -19 )

Hmm …, another perfect example that Abe is doing disservice to Japan’s peaceful image in front of international audiences and, especially, American public.

The irony is that Abe keeps saying he is sincerely looking for peace from Japan’s neighbors, but what he has been doing most actually are trying to seize any opportunities given to bash and agonize Japan’s neighbors from historical angles and current affairs . As a result, tensions between Japan and its neighbors are becoming tense than ever.

Sometime people must wonder why have controversies including backfire and blowback been swirled around Abe and his admin so much and so often? Look no further, it appears mainly Abe has real difficulty to control his “big mouth”. For instance, last full, when he gave a speech at the event hosted by the Hudson Institute (an American conservative think tank) in Washington, D.C, he said "If you want to refer to me as a right-wing militarist, please do so," many audiences could not help but scratch their heads.

Does Abe really want to have peace for Japan? The US seems not able to see through where Abe’s true intent lies these days.

For people who are not aware: Washington has repeatedly asked Japan to give back 300 kilograms of weapons-grade plutonium (enough for making 40 plus nuclear war heads) shipped to Japan by the US for research purposes during the Cold War era; yet the resistance from Japan’s side to return the “goods” has been very strong. (people here should have no issues to figure it out why) However after some serious pressures asserted from Obama’s admin, the refund may be on the way.

-10 ( +5 / -15 )

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