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Abe wants to hold summit with China at APEC meeting

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Abe says he wants to hold summit with China at APEC meeting

Good. Finally, Abe has realized that in 21st century All Roads Lead to Beijing.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Problem is Japan is integral to the U.S. as regards to China and Asia. And, yet, Japan seems unwilling to leverage this fact for its own benefit. It gets little, if anything these days, from the U.S. and is restricted by the Japan-U.S. alliance to seek closer relations with China. As China strengthens in the region, Japan will only become more important to the U.S. and its value to America will increase. It is doubtful, however, given America’s influence with the major political parties and the bureaucracy, that Japan will be able to weigh the advantages of staying within the U.S. sphere of influence and properly leverage its importance against the advantages of returning to the Asian community while it stills retains some economic and diplomatic power. Unfortunately, the inability to make this assessment in the short-term will put Japan at a long-term disadvantage Prowhen China achieves dominance in Asia.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

It’s look like that Abe starts worrying that he might be isolated and snubbed at this year’s APEC summit in Nov. when leaders from 21 countries and territories including the US and Russia meet in China

I think that it may still be possible under Washington’s repeated urge; Xi might give Abe’s a face-saving measure by meeting him at side line for 5-10 minutes during the APEC. Even though it’s not a real summit by diplomatic standards, it would not leave Abe hang out to dry either. Besides, Obama may come to rescue and have a summit with Abe in case, Xi rejects Abe’s plea.

For people who are not aware: the real motive for Abe to present olive branch to Xi would not be much about the political reconciliation rather severe economic consequence resulted from strained bilateral economic ties. For last few months, Germany, S.K, UK and Russia have signed mega deals with China which has been able to speed up rapid trade growth with the US, EU, India and Africa continent including most of its neighbors. Yet, Japan, one of the first countries that tapped Chinese markets since early 80’s is seeing itself increasingly left behind or marginalized in a booming trade community.

Maybe it’s a good move for Abe to adapt a more pragmatic approach with Japan’s big neighbor instead of keeping fighting for something there is a little or no chance to win at the end. The reality is that given Japan’s capacity, capability and demographic potential, not many people in the world believe Japan can beat its nemesis. If-you-can't-beat-them-join-them could be good play for Japan’s foreign policy in long run.

In a related news, the results of a recent survey indicated the American general public has shifted their views towards Japan significantly since last year. 42% of Americans surveyed expressed the importance of relation with China, and only 25% Americans rated the importance with Japan.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Abe is trying to give the Japanese people and the international community the impression that he is the one holding out the proverbial olive branch and trying his utmost to med relations, that he himself frayed, while China and South Korea continue to hamper such efforts. Nice try Abe but keep up the charade a while longer because it does seem to be working on the Japanese at large and the J-media are ALL on-board though you have little credibility left internationally.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

thanks to the APEC leaders summit. hopefully this meeting happens with good faith between the two.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

China far less worried about cooperating or preserving smooth relations with Japan and U.S. than it once was. Instead China seems intent on freeing itself from its constraints. It has mostly been driven by a change in China’s perception of power relations since the global economic crisis. China’s success in surviving such a precipitous downturn has given the government a greater belief in its own resilience. And the perception that the U.S., Japan and Europe need China more than China needs them has been fed by U.S. administration, whose conciliatory gestures toward China have been treated as signs of weakness rather than goodwill. U.S. and Japan needs more consciously competitive policies be initiated in areas where disagreements are likely to persist.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Mr. PerfectJul. 15, 2014 - 08:19AM JST Abe is trying to give the Japanese people and the international community the impression that he is the one holding >out the proverbial olive branch and trying his utmost to med relations, that he himself frayed, while China and South >Korea continue to hamper such efforts.

Actually he is. What exactly did Abe do that warrants a complete breakdown in diplomatic relations? Visit a shrine that honors dead people? In his own country no less? Both China and South Korea have breached every aspect of their peace treaties with Japan from 1965 and 1972. Yet like any rational mature country, Japan is open to dialogue. And not the "you must agree to our position 100%" as a condition for dialogue as China has demanded.

-2 ( +8 / -10 )

Abe also brushed off reports that Masahiko Komura, a top ruling party official and former foreign minister, had told China he would not go to the shrine again.

“That was Mr Komura’s view. I don’t know about it,” he added.

What exactly does Abe not know about?

3 ( +5 / -2 )

In the past 2 years has China offered to have a summit or any discussions with japan ? NO it just continues with the bad mouthing.

Abe has offered many times to have a sit down, but Every time Japan offers china rejects them, Therefore it is clear china is the biligerent one here, Abe would like to discuss and resolve issues dividing the two, where china wants to drive a wedge between them with its never ending trash talk and acts of aggression.

If its not about visiting a memorial to dead people , its about what japan did during the war, and if its not about that its about the rocks in the pacific. and then if its about none of those things its about some other imagined made up slight that china feels , the people who run the stinking pile are seriously in need of a look in the mirror.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

OssanAmerica Jul. 15, 2014 - 08:56AM JST

Actually he is. What exactly did Abe do that warrants a complete breakdown in diplomatic relations? Visit a shrine that honors dead people? In his own country no less?

Visit a shrine that honors class A, B and C war criminals which leaders of other nations won't visit due to this very reason including the United States and not to mention the fact that neither Emperor Shōwa or the current Emperor have visited due to their enshrinement. Calling into question the validity and verdicts of the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal and those tribunals held in other countries. Calling sexual slaves no more than willing prostitutes and calling into question their testimony of their treatment while in enslavement. The rewriting of Japanese textbooks that whitewash actions that were carried out by Japan against it's neighbors. Re-interpreting Article 9 and abandoning the pacifist principles that this great country embraced following the atrocities of WWII.

Shall we continue to list?

0 ( +8 / -8 )

It would be fun to watch whether Xi ( the host) refuses to talk to Abe (his guest) or not at the APEC.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

“We need to return to the basics of a strategic relationship of mutual respect. I would like to have a summit in Beijing this November at the time of the APEC meeting,”

Good luck with that. China doesn't respect Japan. It sees Japan as a weak nation, as easy prey, but one that constantly gets in the way of China's expansionist dreams and te conquest of Asia. Xi Jinping will almost certainly snub the summit, most likely in a less than subtle manner that diverts public attention from China's many atrocities and failings.

Abe-san would be better off trying to form closer ties with the rest of Asia, and forgetting about the corrupt tyrants in Beijing. It's a wasted effort. China can only see Japan as the enemy. They've brainwashed themselves to extensively for anything else.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

Don't waste your time Japan, make nuclear bombs now and new tech to punch-through China's new 5,000 mile long nuclear proof underground tunnel system, that can move 100drs of thousands of troops tanks/weapons forward, in different directions, away from the attack. They also house the Gov in nuclear wars. As it stands now, china thinks their country is so big, that any nuclear bomb reply would be useless. You need to spend billions on finding bunkers and tunnels INTEL, and people that build them now and in the past. And tec to get nuclear weapons inside them.

China has got a power overload to their micro brains, and reached a point knowing they could not be cut off 8 years ago. That is when we have seen them lying outright about building up, and attack/types of weapons, then busted later, along with then massive hacking. They know we 100% know, but know the west is also dumb, if they are going to no punishes them at all. Makes you wonder if America wants a massive war. If they think they're safe, then America has anything coming within 30 years time.

China is just using media control of brain was there people as a proper gander, it's like Hitler all over. If you can read my past post, you will find 1 where I said China will post japan / America's attack all in the papers on on tv, when they're ready for war to brain wash their people. 2 weeks after, China has done that, and has showed japan crimes and the A BOMB over japan. In 10 years "if that" they will show the A1-BOMBED and showed this stuff about America, and the west.

What we are seeing is way beyond a warning, it's what it is and that is a country that murder 1000s of their people each year, with =-= going missing, building up on a massive scale as if they need hi tech weapons ASAP. The X rule is now running there military as the top generals and power and reality has gone from their brains. They know what they're building and are pre-planing everything for a massive war. The weapons there building and massive unseen underground nuclear proof sub base tunnels, are all built for 1 thing.

We have seen china building up "at first" on a massive scale, then we have seen them save up $5+ trillion and started a massive hacking campaign "8 years" after growing big and rich. This was only because the massive amount of billions they spend on making weapons, was a waist. You can give anyone $10 billion dollars, but this takes more than that, it takes time to learn how to make tec / hi tec weapons. China has saved up the trillions and will hack all the tec why spending billions to get it, then once on par and they know the TEC, they will pull out $5 trillion dollars and build up on a massive unseen scale. I AM 100% CORRECT AND IT IS WHAT THERE DOING.

In 20 - 30 years time, china will have $50+++ billion in the bank, and can build up 4* bigger then America, and fund there war for 15+ years "even" if there cut off from the world markets.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Mr. PerfectJul. 15, 2014 - 10:22AM JST OssanAmerica Jul. 15, 2014 - 08:56AM JST "Actually he is. What exactly did Abe do that warrants a complete breakdown in diplomatic relations? Visit a shrine that honors dead people? In his own country no less?"

Visit a shrine that honors class A, B and C war criminals which leaders of other nations won't visit due to this very >reason including the United States and not to mention the fact that neither Emperor Shōwa or the current Emperor >have visited due to their enshrinement. Calling into question the validity and verdicts of the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal and those tribunals held in other >countries. Calling sexual slaves no more than willing prostitutes and calling into question their testimony of their treatment while >in enslavement. The rewriting of Japanese textbooks that whitewash actions that were carried out by Japan against it's neighbors. Re->interpreting Article 9 and abandoning the pacifist principles that this great country embraced following the atrocities >of WWII. Shall we continue to list?

Hahaha, apart from visiting the shrine, Abe himself has done none of those, By the way, after the Class-A War Criminals were enshrined there the Lithuanian Prime Minister, the 14th Dalai Lama, Former President of Peru, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, Former President of the Republic of China, and a UMSC Lt. General have visited Yasukuni.

-2 ( +8 / -10 )

some14someJul. 15, 2014 - 07:17AM JST Abe says he wants to hold summit with China at APEC meeting Good. Finally, Abe has realized that in 21st century All Roads Lead to Beijing.

Where have you been? Prime Minister Abe has on numerous occasion tried to have a sit down with Communist China, but each time Communist China has come up with some reason why not.

The only way that Communist China will agree to a meeting with Prime Minister Abe would be if he kowtowed before Emperor Xi's feet like Park has.

http://thediplomat.com/2014/01/shinzo-abe-is-not-welcome-in-china-and-never-will-be/

President Xi has banked his reputation as President at winning the cold war he created and things aren't going the way he dreamed. So now, he is getting desperate and has ordered an escalation to his war against Japan.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/kyodo-news-international/140704/china-orders-online-media-take-tough-stance-japan

How much longer before his starts to lose support for his Imperial ambitions?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/analysis-purge-displays-chinese-leaders-ambition/2014/07/02/78b2c862-025d-11e4-8bb2-6b921949ecfa_story.html

http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonchang/2014/07/13/attack-on-bank-of-china-for-money-laundering-screams-infighting-in-beijing/

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

What we are seeing is way beyond a warning, it's what it is and that is a country that murder 1000s of their people each year, with =-= going missing, building up on a massive scale as if they need hi tech weapons ASAP. The X rule is now running there military as the top generals and power and reality has gone from their brains. They know what they're building and are pre-planing everything for a massive war. The weapons there building and massive unseen underground nuclear proof sub base tunnels, are all built for 1 thing.

Yeah , so that you can condemn japan like in the 40's no thanks

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

@Ossan, for those China bashers, why the hell do you want abe to meet with Chinese president? Why trying so hard, almost like a saint, just to save China from the diplomatic isolation? Come on, you guys should urge abe to boycott APEC meeting in Beijing, setting a fine example for the whole free world. The whole free world is counting on you and abe to isolate China.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

I'm sure Abe wants a lot of things. I want a rainbow bridge filled with fairies and a magical unicorn.

So what do I have to give to get them?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The reality is japan needs China more. Japan has in the past year committed many transgressions against China which they are now hoping will be forgotten but they're fooling themselves. Japan needs to earn a sit down at this point and really, if China refuses and japan continues to suffer economically it's their own fault for saying one thing and acting contrarily. So no more visits to yasukuni, denying ww2 atrocities, trying to encircle China by courting its neighboring countries, taking over senkaku when ownership was mutually agreed to be decided later. If you were China and your neighbor did that to you, your reaction may be similar. Japan's problem is it wants to grow economic relations with China while militarily contain it via consolidating support through its right wing base but depending on ww2 deniers is a double edged sword. Japan may not be able to have it both ways.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

AlexNoaburgJul. 15, 2014 - 12:14PM JST The reality is japan needs China more.

If you were correct Communist China would have embargoed all Japanese goods long ago. Why haven't they? Why are they still coming to Japan for business and pleasure?

It is simple, Communist China needs Japan as much as Japan needs Communist China. Japan imports just about as much as they export.

AlexNoaburgJul. 15, 2014 - 12:14PM JST Japan has in the past year committed many transgressions against China which they are now hoping will be forgotten but they're fooling themselves.

And Communist China has been an innocent victim all this time? Have you forgotten all the aid Japan gave Communist China in the last 40 years or so?

http://thediplomat.com/2011/03/japan-to-slash-china-aid/

http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/region/e_asia/china/

Communist China seems to forget what they want and remember what they wish.

AlexNoaburgJul. 15, 2014 - 12:14PM JST Japan needs to earn a sit down at this point and really, if China refuses and japan continues to suffer economically it's their own fault for saying one thing and acting contrarily.

Maybe you don't know, but Japan has the world's 3rd largest economy. They aren't starving in the streets and don't really need to beg for anything.

AlexNoaburgJul. 15, 2014 - 12:14PM JST So no more visits to yasukuni, denying ww2 atrocities, trying to encircle China by courting its neighboring countries, taking over senkaku when ownership was mutually agreed to be decided later.

You forgot, kowtow before Emperor Xi.

AlexNoaburgJul. 15, 2014 - 12:14PM JST If you were China and your neighbor did that to you, your reaction may be similar. Japan's problem is it wants to grow economic relations with China while militarily contain it via consolidating support through its right wing base but depending on ww2 deniers is a double edged sword. Japan may not be able to have it both ways.

Japan isn't the one that claimed 90% of the South China sea and nearly all of the East China Sea, Communist China is.

Also, Japan isn't the one who has sent military force to take what isn't theirs, Communist China is.

50 plus apologies and Trillions of Yen in ODA and humanitarian is enough.

This is a propaganda war that Communist China is waging and the only true victims here are facts.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

July 15, 2014 1:30p.m="Mr.Abe says, we need to return to the basics of a strategic relation of mutual respet" < I would like Mr. Abe to get the difinition of the term "strategic relation" straight. However he difines it, the way he talks about it vis-a-vis China, I have got the feeling that he means to say," No matter how much my recent visit to Yasukuni gets a rise out of you, you should not get politics mixed up with economics, since the logic of economics is rational unlike that of politics, as evidenced by my rivisionist take on the last war to make a small segment of the population happy. Part of the picture I am painting about myself might apply to you: you have to divert the people's attention away from what you have to tackle at home for your political survival because you have no political legetimacy to your credit through the election by popular votes. This is where Japan comes in. The feeling is mutual." Is that all about strategic relations?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Joebigs,

You seem to not understand the concept of the ODA. They are not all free. Interests are required upon repayment.

And the reason Japan HAD to provide ODA to China is because US told Japan to. And with the added terms that China will forfeit all indemnities (other than the clearing of biological and chemical weapons and weapons of mass destruction in China caused by Japan) payable from Japan. That's exponentially more than the trillions of yen Japan has provided interests based ODA to China.

But that's besides the point since both sides agreed. I just don't like people here keep on stressing the ODA and thinking that's some altruism done by Japan.

Its not. It came with clauses and terms that are insanely favorable to Japan.

So don't ever bring this up as some kind of a gift from Japan to others. Even the current ODA Japan is giving to Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam came with interests and terms. Plus, Japan get to put Japanese names as stamps on all these countries which gives Japan huge projections of soft power.

This is not done of kindness. Its done with profit in mind.

And all of us can hit China on being a communist state anytime we want. Its a cop out.

The correct way is to compare what China was 50years ago, 30years ago, 20 years ago and how it looks now. Calling them commies, killers, aggressors are just stupidity personified. We look for progress. Has China progressed after all these years? If the answer is yes, then we cope with them in a tug-o-war manner.

If the answer is no, we try our best to bring them out of the runt because the world needs China a whole lot more than most other nations. Imagine a failed China that export weapons of mass destruction, hunger, crime, or worst, the marxist/socialist ideology. That's the real fear.

Talking about China's aggression is like talking to a wall. Most of their disputes are inherited by history. They are not making new claims that they haven't disputed in the past.

SO long as they are not projecting expansion like what Russia is doing, they are manageable and tolerable.

What's intolerable is Japan dragging us into this mess. We don't want to be there for your mess. Deal with it on your own since you have the amended article 9. Draft your own citizens or volunteers into the military and fight your own conflict.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

That was a pity. He went to the shine. Now Japan has to wait for the next minister.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

highball7Jul. 15, 2014 - 06:39PM JST You seem to not understand the concept of the ODA. They are not all free. Interests are required upon repayment.

Interesting, it seems as if you and the MOFA hold differing views because they said..

Grant aid is financial assistance that is extended to recipient countries without imposing an obligation of repayment.

Loan aid involves the provision of loans under relaxed conditions (low interest, long repayment period) to recipient countries. (These are in principle untied loans.)

Technical cooperation involves the technologies being provided to recipient countries to spread the use of technology among people in developing countries and improve technical levels.

highball7Jul. 15, 2014 - 06:39PM JST And the reason Japan HAD to provide ODA to China is because US told Japan to. And with the added terms that China will forfeit all indemnities (other than the clearing of biological and chemical weapons and weapons of mass destruction in China caused by Japan) payable from Japan. That's exponentially more than the trillions of yen Japan has provided interests based ODA to China.

Another interesting point you bring up. Interesting because this is the first time I have ever read anywhere that the US TOLD Japan to provide ODA loans, grants and aid to Communist China. If you wouldn't mind, could you provide a link? I am pretty sure you have one at the ready to back-up your claim.

highball7Jul. 15, 2014 - 06:39PM JST But that's besides the point since both sides agreed. I just don't like people here keep on stressing the ODA and thinking that's some altruism done by Japan.

I too have issues with people making wild claims that they can't back-up with non-bias proof.

highball7Jul. 15, 2014 - 06:39PM JST Its not. It came with clauses and terms that are insanely favorable to Japan.

The loans did, the grants didn't. Huge difference, but ones that can't be refuted.

highball7Jul. 15, 2014 - 06:39PM JST So don't ever bring this up as some kind of a gift from Japan to others. Even the current ODA Japan is giving to Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam came with interests and terms. Plus, Japan get to put Japanese names as stamps on all these countries which gives Japan huge projections of soft power.

Again, can you provide a link that supports your claim that the United States ordered Japan to provide to Communist China ODA grants, loans and aid?

highball7Jul. 15, 2014 - 06:39PM JST And all of us can hit China on being a communist state anytime we want. Its a cop out.

It's a cop out? Are you saying that the Communist Party of China isn't Communist?

highball7Jul. 15, 2014 - 06:39PM JST The correct way is to compare what China was 50years ago, 30years ago, 20 years ago and how it looks now. Calling them commies, killers, aggressors are just stupidity personified. We look for progress. Has China progressed after all these years? If the answer is yes, then we cope with them in a tug-o-war manner.

So, your claiming that Communist China is not using aggressive tactics against it's neighbors to gain resources and territories?

highball7Jul. 15, 2014 - 06:39PM JST If the answer is no, we try our best to bring them out of the runt because the world needs China a whole lot more than most other nations. Imagine a failed China that export weapons of mass destruction, hunger, crime, or worst, the marxist/socialist ideology. That's the real fear.

The world needs China, the world doesn't need Communist China. The Chinese 1.2 billion Chinese and the 80 million Communist party members are two totally different peoples even though the Communist party tries to make them the same.

highball7Jul. 15, 2014 - 06:39PM JST Talking about China's aggression is like talking to a wall. Most of their disputes are inherited by history. They are not making new claims that they haven't disputed in the past.

But, the way they are handling their disputes makes them into bullies, thugs and yes, aggressors.

highball7Jul. 15, 2014 - 06:39PM JST SO long as they are not projecting expansion like what Russia is doing, they are manageable and tolerable.

Claiming 90% of the South China Sea and nearly all of the East China Sea isn't an aggressive expansion? Have you seen their new map?

highball7Jul. 15, 2014 - 06:39PM JST You seem to not understand the concept of the ODA. They are not all free. Interests are required upon repayment.

Interesting, it seems as if you might need to talk to mofa and straighten them out, because they said..

Grant aid is financial assistance that is extended to recipient countries without imposing an obligation of repayment.

Loan aid involves the provision of loans under relaxed conditions (low interest, long repayment period) to recipient countries. (These are in principle untied loans.)

Technical cooperation involves the technologies being provided to recipient countries to spread the use of technology among people in developing countries and improve technical levels.

highball7Jul. 15, 2014 - 06:39PM JST And the reason Japan HAD to provide ODA to China is because US told Japan to.

Another interesting point you bring up. Interesting because this is the first time I have ever read that the US told Japan to provide ODA loads, grants and aid to Communist China. If you wouldn't mind, could you provide a link? I am pretty sure you have one at the ready to back-up your claim.

highball7Jul. 15, 2014 - 06:39PM JST Its not. It came with clauses and terms that are insanely favorable to Japan.

If you barrow money from a bank you have to pay it back with interest. Well unless you live in a Communist Utopian world. Wow, I made a hell of a joke!

highball7Jul. 15, 2014 - 06:39PM JST Talking about China's aggression is like talking to a wall. Most of their disputes are inherited by history. They are not making new claims that they haven't disputed in the past.

But, the way they are handling their disputes makes them into bullies, thugs and yes, aggressors. Claiming 90% of the South China Sea and nearly all of the East China Sea isn't an aggressive expansion? Have you seen their new map?

BTW if you wouldn't mind could you please answer at least one of my simple questions.

hkitagawaJul. 15, 2014 - 07:25PM JST That was a pity. He went to the shine. Now Japan has to wait for the next minister.

Has elections been called? First I have heard of it.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

I call BS on both Abe and Xi and I say they are both playing from the same playbook. China is using Japan as a distraction from their domestic problems and Japan is using China as an excuse to build up its military and increase defense spending. And please don`t forget that Japan is one of the main reasons that China is in the position it is today. By building factories in China, giving Japanese jobs to China and giving China their technology Japan helped create the China that Japan is now crying about being a bully that wants to take over the world. If Japan really thinks that China wants to invade and enslave them then stop the economic cooperation, close the factories and stop issuing visas to Chinese to visit Japan.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

If Abe faces strong headwind from his largely failed foreign policy which tries to contain Japan's nemesis, his domestic headaches is being intensified as well. For instance, Last Sunday, LDP supported candidate Takashi Koyari lost his bid to Taizo Mikazuki in Shiga gubernatorial election which’s the first battle ground after reinterpretation of Japanese constitution.

Early this week, J-govt’s mouthpiece, NHK ,reported that the approval rate of Abe’s admin has dropped to 47% from 65% not long ago.

That being said, there are two cards that Abe can still play, and if playing well, he may get its mojo back, one is summit with Xi and another is to get abductees back from N.K.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@EthanWilber: I don`t know if Marie Laveau could help Abe get his mojo back. The only way Xi gives him a summit is if it is on his terms which means Abe will be seen as giving in after all of that big talking he has been doing to all the world leaders including the pope about how bad China is. The abductees back from NK is doable but again China could play a role behind the scenes in determining whether NK cooperates or not. I think it is about time for Abe to start having stomach pains again but the only problem is the guy waiting in the wings is Ishiba who is just as bad if not worse. This situation with China should have never gotten this far and there is blame to be put on both sides but it cannot be denied that after Abe became PM relations between China and Japan and South Korea and Japan got a lot worse.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

OssanAmerica Jul. 15, 2014 - 11:48AM JST

Hahaha, apart from visiting the shrine, Abe himself has done none of those, By the way, after the Class-A War Criminals were enshrined there the Lithuanian Prime Minister, the 14th Dalai Lama, Former President of Peru, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, Former President of the Republic of China, and a UMSC Lt. General have visited Yasukuni.

Quite a list of prominent countries and a USMC Lt. General really tops off the list of influential figures. You might want to address the main point that no prominent leaders, Emperor Shōwa or the current Emperor have not visited due to their enshrinement. Maybe try doing a little more research on Prime Minister Abe and comments and actions he has made while Prime Minister as your post seems to ignore some quite commonly know facts.

BTW, you can scrub Former President of Peru Alberto Fujimori from your list as he has always maintained Japanese nationality and that is according to the Japanese government but you probably already knew that.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

@JoeBigs: Please keep writing with your cool explanation. If I goof in writing, please point out, too. You wrote with fact. Some people does not know difference between Present and Loan. :):)

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

@Japan4Life

I call BS on both Abe and Xi and I say they are both playing from the same playbook. China is using Japan as a distraction from their domestic problems and Japan is using China as an excuse to build up its military and increase defense spending.

I agree with you 100%. If I could up vote your comment 1000x -- I WOULD.

I would also add, despite the war of words between J-govt and C-govt, the People to People diplomacy in the region is still going strong.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

good bye USA , we can bear china and not usa arrogance

I call BS on both Abe and Xi and I say they are both playing from the same playbook. China is using Japan as a distraction from their domestic problems and Japan is using China as an excuse to build up its military and increase defense spending.

there is no book played japan hate china , but won't allow to be misused again like in the 40's

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Abe, stop putting on a show, please. Wouldn’t it be more effective to just pick up the phone and call Xi directly? Or maybe he doesn’t have Xi’s phone number, Obama has it he just called Xi again Monday night. The US wants to enhance cooperation with China in trade, energy, climate change and other hot-button issues, Obama said. It seems Obama and Xi are hitting it off very well. I also heard Modi and Xi just had an extended meeting even before Abe has his. "The new India government under my leadership is willing to deepen India-China friendly cooperation. This is quite important for India," Modi said. Abe must be in a bad mood now so calm down and call Xi.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

JoeBig,

Grant aid is NOT ODA. Two different concept. Get is through that thick skull of yours.

Read my comment. I said NOT ALL ODA are free. Meaning some ODA are free.

In relation to ODA given to China, most of them are low interest aid for the specific use of building infrastructure and clean tech. In the earlier years, most are free grants but they were part of the agreement that China will forgive most indemnities to Japan. That means it was a trade, not exactly free.

Claiming 90% of SCS has nothing to do with ODA. China was claiming that for decades and Japan still provided the grants and loans.

Just because you are a willing party doesn't give you any higher stance. Japan knew what China was. China was exponentially more as a communist and totalitarian state back in the 70s 80s and 90s than now. And yet people are complaining about some ODA given back in those era as some sort of barter that somehow China should repay or show appreciation of?

That is ridiculous. You got what you want and China got what it wants. Its a fair game. You don't like it, stop providing ODA to China. You don't want China to take over SCS, then ally with yourself with Vietnam and Philippines and stop China militarily. That's the only way since none of the SCS belongs to Japan or remotely disputable with Japan.

Just because Japan's lifeline and trade routes crosses the SCS doesn't give you any rights of ownership. You still can travel through international waters which is what you're doing anyways.

So this whole SCS thing is irrelevant to the ODA.

The point is, Japan made its bed with China years ago. Knowing exactly what China was. China has improved dramatically and you are pissed now because now China has overtaken Japan. Why don't you blame your own gov't, people and country for falling behind. How is it China's fault or anyone else's fault that Japan bubbled for a decade and remain stagnant for another two? If you people didn't over-leverage yourselves and grow within your limits, you would still be sitting pretty.

Stop being so petty. No one else cares about what Japan thinks. Only the few of us who still got love for Japan would comment here and hope you people correct this wrongful turn on neo-nationalism and move back to the moderate. Nothing good will come out of this in the long term.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

highball7 and JoeBigs, please do not address each other any further on this thread, since all you are doing is bickering.

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I believe that Japan needs to be smart and stop trying to be friendly with Emperor Xi. He is too headstrong and his Mao sized ambitions make him too dangerous to trust. Right now he is doing his best to push Japan against a wall, but his attempt is failing. The more he fails to make Japan kowtow before him the more pressure he gets from his rivals (yes, he has rivals).

If he doesn't get any results soon his reign might be a very short one. His purges are making some of the old guard a bit mad and the list of rivals is starting to grow. So, things might start heating up at Zhongnanhai.

He has been told not to push his corruption campaign, but he isn't listening.

http://thediplomat.com/2014/04/chinas-former-leaders-tell-xi-to-halt-anti-corruption-campaign/

But, his anti corruption campaign is also an old fashioned Communist purge.

http://www.the-american-interest.com/blog/2014/04/17/purging-rivals-xi-dreams-of-a-more-muscular-china/

I for one have the popcorn ready when Communist China's big boys start going after each other.

flowersJul. 16, 2014 - 04:44AM JST Abe, stop putting on a show, please.

Abe is asking for a meeting with Xi. I wouldn't call that putting on a show, I'd call that being a good diplomat. See the difference Prime Minister Abe sounds like an adult while President Xi doesn't.

masanoriyamamotoJul. 16, 2014 - 02:02AM JST good bye USA , we can bear china and not usa arrogance

No, you can't bear China's arrogance.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

JoeBigs, never once I saw Abe as a good diplomat but a “good” actor maybe. To have a meeting with Xi, there are many diplomatic channels that he can use. Instead, he went in front of the camera acting like he wanted to have a meeting knowing full well what the response would be so that people like you would see him to be a “good” diplomat. Abe only cares about how to make himself staying in power and nothing else. Using North Korea, for example, just to further his political career, and he would bend and cheat so that he can get what he wants, for example reinterpretation of the constitution, without regards to the constitutional democratic process. Using cute models to help recruit young soldiers is also really low and devious, I wonder how you could see him as an adult.

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No, you can't bear China's arrogance.

seems you have no idea about the influence of koumeito member along with the communist group , despite it didn't block abe from changing the constitution , but if you gone to japanese blog site , you will see that abe has bowed to Xi several times

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Mr. PerfectJul. 15, 2014 - 10:22AM JST .. which leaders of other nations won't visit due to this very reason

So you NOW add the word "prominent". Yasukuni Shrine is not a particularly important place on an international level, so I don't know why you seem to think that there SHOULD BE any "prominent" State Leaders visiting it at all. In fact it's so insignificant on that scale that you should be shocked that ANY leaders prominent, former or otherwise have visited it at all.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

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