China denounces Abe for Russia-Crimea analogy

JBird,

They are entitled to think and opine. But if there is a pattern of speech and behavior as to how they project and opine on certain "sensitive" issues, then we should all call them out for it. There is no twisting here. It is clear as day as to how Abe's regime functions. The leader will ambiguously try to muddle the water on certain issues and the rest of his minions will come out with supposedly different "versions" of their own "personal aftermath" renditions.

It was also clear as day as to how right after Abe talk out of both sides of his mouth, Nishimura immediately follows with a blatant and blunt extrapolation on Abe's pov. Then he conveniently states that its of his own personal opinion as if his position as Senior Vice Minister of the Cabinet Office means nothing.

There is no making up of my own story line here. This is how Abe and his cronies function. I'm just calling them out as it is. The mechanics of their syncretism requires you to read between the lines to get to what they really mean. It doesn't work in any western cultures. Only with Japanese and Chinese. That's how you guys work.

@ Highball

"Reading between the lines" is great, BUT making up your own story line to twist the facts in support of your opinion is not! On the other hand it is your opinion and even those from the far-left or far-right are entitled to think what they want, I suppose.

JBird,

If you paid attention to what Abe said and then his minion Nishimura said after, then my analogy is completely on point. It was Abe trying desperate to avoid giving the notion of what he really wanted to say, then having his cronies say it out right for him, thus giving him plausible denial ability.

You really need to read between the lines on everything Japanese and Japanese politician says. This is something we picked up throughout the years living and working in/with Japan/Japanese. They think "foreigners" don't know how they really are and they try to get away with it by citing lost in translations or mis-communications. Hogwash. We know exactly who you people are and what you people mean. Don't even try to get away with it.

So China is finally condemning Russian's takeover of Crimea. Chinese FM Hong Lei fell into PM Abe's trap by admitting comparing the contested island issue with the Crimea takeover is not the same; i.e., what Russia did was wrong.

smithinjapan,

This guy is the worst thing to happen to Japan since WWII. THAT is a valid comparison.

EXACTLY!

Thank you for the voice of sanity!

This talk and concern ties in with the Philippines is due to file a case on Monday against China with the UN tribunal in The Hague, challenging its territorial claim to most of the South China Sea.

Seems China government does have form.

It amazes me how many posters here can not take the truth and blindly support Abe. Most negative comments here about him are NOT an attack on Japan. Just because someone does not agree with him does not mean that they hate Japan at all. Abe, Park and the Chinese government need each other to exist.

Abe cannot help but be seen as hypocritical in saying that he wants to mend fences with China but then going on and comparing Russia's actions to that of China's in the South China sea. Yes, China is a bully and his comments are very, very correct. But there are times that one needs to hold one's tongue for the good of the country not for one's personal political aspirations at home. If you want to mend fences you don't even mention the country's name. Of course they are going to get angry and you are just going to antagonise things even more.

Abe does himself a lot of "personal" good by seeming to stand up to China and criticise her. But he does Japan a lot of damage by doing so as well.

Abe is exactly what Chinese government officials love. His clumsy comments help to turn the focus from China's own problems which Chinese officials are responsible for, to and old target, Japan.

Both Abe and Xi Jinping benefit from each other "personally" while both populations suffer. Getting people to hate each other is the easiest way to stay in power. Change the focus of attention to an enemy and you stay in power.

Just because something is true and you CAN say it, does not mean that you should. There are certain times when you should and should not say certain things.

For all of you posters who misunderstand criticism of Abe as an attack on Japan. Ask yourself these questions; a. Are you angry because you have confused people criticising Abe as an attack on Japan? b. Did you really think that making such comments was responsible and would not worsen tensions between the two countries? c. If someone is trying to make peace with you, would you feel so if they went out and mentioned you in a situation that you were not involved in? d. Are you just unwilling to admit to anything because China is a bully, has been bashing you for so very long and that has clouded your opinion and you think that Japan must not give one single centimeter to China anymore on any issue at all? e. d. Are you thinking emotionally or intellectually?

To be honest, I am very much anti-Chinese government when it comes to things, and have been a long time resident in Japan so naturally I want Japan to always do well. But when you have clumsy politicians who are only worried about their own political futures and not that of the country then people need to wake up and get rid of them, not defend them for any reason at all. This seems to be a no-brainer if you think about it. Abe messed up.

A translation of Saito Minako's Tokyo Shimbun column on the the Abe Administration's new deceptive language.

Communist China, Korea, Russia. Neighboring countries of Japan is a rogue state. They are very afraid the resurrection of Imperial Japan.

Japanese leadership wishes to stay puppets of the USA. They aren't allowed to revive Imperial Japan. Nobody is afraid.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan was fiercely condemned the invasion of Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines Malaysia by Communist China in the G7 meeting. Also did not tolerate even the Crimea with Russia incident.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan will not tolerate the Holocaust in the Uighur and Tibet by Communist China.

Communist China, Korea, Russia. Neighboring countries of Japan is a rogue state. They are very afraid the resurrection of Imperial Japan.

but you cannot deny that Abe is simply claiming one thing while doing another and Beijing is correct in that regard. That is not supporting China's politics or politicians at all, but supporting fact.>

I can, because it is a fallacy to think that what Abe said in any way closed the door on peacefully managing the dispute from the Japanese side.

Also, I'd like to point out that at their current level of hostility, statements like there are really a non-issue for bi-lateral relations. Further bickering between Japan and China will not make things worse. Both countries are clearly hostile towards one another, and China has even made threats to using military intervention to take back their territory. Saying nothing only helps China, and being overtly friendly to someone who continually spits in your face is not going to fly with Japanese voters, and certainly won't change the nature of relations between the two countries; China is only going to be friendly with Japan if Japan not only apologize for WWII (AGAIN), but also concede that China has a claim to the Senkaku islands. Japan should do neither of these things because conciliatory policy against aggression is never conducive to peaceful coexistence.

Abe's words statements were the correct ones to make. It puts international attention on China's aggression (that could potentially get worse if Japan ignores it), and Japan still maintains an open-door policy for peacefully dealing with this dispute.

And once again I ask, has China taken over the Senkakus?>

No, but if you think that is an impossibility then the lesson of Ukraine has been completely lost on you, friend.

JBird: "Your obvious hate for Japan doesn't change China's position of conflict with so many of it's neighbors!"

Don't hate Japan one bit, but it's a shame you fall back on the bottom-of-the-barrel argument that criticism of aspects of a nation's politics equal hatred of the nation. I suppose you think that because I don't like Abe and his comments that I therefore like China's politics? That seems about the black and white politics that you guys can fall behind in lieu of a valid argument. I do not deny China has many conflicts with neighbours, despite you saying my comment on Japan wanting land that is not theirs is invalid (pot meet kettle!), and I do not and have never supported the stance of the Chinese government given their rampant hypocrisy, but you cannot deny that Abe is simply claiming one thing while doing another and Beijing is correct in that regard. That is not supporting China's politics or politicians at all, but supporting fact.

"Actually Abe's analogy was "between Russia’s behavior in Crimea and China’s actions in the disputed East and South China Seas"

And once again I ask, has China taken over the Senkakus? The analogy is moronic, and the Chinese government correct in the fact that Abe is going in front of the UN and playing the victim and 'searching for peace' before turning around and offending neighbours yet again. That you refuse to see that is a testament to the undermining of your arguments.

China FM and its spokesman Hong Lei has been pretty nasty in my view in the last few weeks. Look at other recent Asia news especially high profile mh370, then criticism of china bullying again comes up by others. I wonder in the world of international corporation whether someone has had a word with the China F Minstry or whether maybe he/they should read their own comments and apply that to their own behavior. Certainly valid in this case, Beijing's anger and way of doing things which is like chalk and cheese to other Asian countries.

Australianexpatinchina --- LOL! Love the humor, keep it up!

Abe san comment is deftly timed to coincide with Xi Jinping visit to Berlin, but as Xi Jinping was waxing lyrical about wartime atrocities still “fresh in our memory”, Chinese visitors to Japan in 2013 have increased by 96 percent from 2012, that's a cool 90,000 plus per, a record 10 million spending there hard earned money in Japan. Nuff said me thinks, Chinese visitors don't seem to see things the same way.

Abe needs to have his head examined. To date nobody knows what he wants. If he is bent on antagonizing China, then just stick to this line and stop all pretensions. We Asians who are neither Chinese nor Japanese are sick of his antics. If Japan wants war, then just bring it on and stop all pretensions! You don't need any excuse like you did the last time!

I hate geopolitics. bit I love how Putin does things. He's a real man

I'd have compared Russia's Crimea activities to Nazi Germany when it annexed Austria and western Poland. Same reasons... ethnic Germans (or ethnic Russians in Putin's case). I would have said China is behaving more like a greedy child than Putin.

Abe, shame of Japan.

Highball7 - Actually Abe's analogy was "between Russia’s behavior in Crimea and China’s actions in the disputed East and South China Seas". -- I will give you two points for twisting things so nicely!

Actually, with Abe's ridiculous comment, he is really confirming what the Chinese had been saying. I have to question who's side Abe is really on or what has he been smoking.

If Abe's analogy of Russia-Crimea's relations, historical background, and the current seizure by the Russian as to China and Diaoyu/Senkaku, then Abe is re-affirming that Diaoyu/Senkaku once belonged to China, with a majority of Chinese characteristic and is still currently predominated by Chinese and China is currently seizing and owning the disputed islands. Because that's the reality in Crimea, which is heavily and majority filled with Ethnic Russians with Russia in control.

So by saying the two are alike, Abe is saying that Diaoyu/Senkaku is more Chinese than Japanese and with China in defacto control whether the rest of the world agree or not. So all this fight and dispute is for nothing?

So.... maybe Abe should do what any Japanese politician does best by denying the statement or claim that the public and non-pro Abe media is again mistaken about his meaning or intentions. Something Japanese politicians are quite adapt at.

I think China started this round of name calling by accusing Japan of being like Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter, still fresh in our memory.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/01/02/liu-xiaoming-lord-voldemort-china-japan_n_4531813.html

smith

That's why there was an 'if' in my sentence. By saying what he said, Abe puts a bit of pressure on China not to do what Russia did.

Smith - Ah, you mean at the same time as Japan wants other islands that do not belong to them, right?That's not what he said, nor is it the same. China can "want" othe territory all the want. It's when they threaten to use force to take the territory that they "want", which China has done, that the world begins to worry!Your obvious hate for Japan doesn't change China's position of conflict with so many of it's neighbors!

The similarities between the way Russia and Japan reason and act is definitely there. Putin has now got much more heat than he planned for and hopefully that can be something China learns from.

The regaining of Crimea (which was a part of Russia prior to 1954) is much more important event for Russians by comparisons to any "heat from West". Strategical ports, bases etc on Black Sea. Russia is self sustained country, enriched by oil, gas and other natural sources. Together with China Russians can spit upon any western sanctions or threats from top of Mt. Everest, figuratively speaking. As for Japan, PM Abe has just ruined all difficult work of returning Northern Territories by joining western sanctions. Russians are strong and prefer to talk and sign agreements with strong, independent states. They aren't interested of making deals with boneless western puppets, like Ukraine or Japan.

A better analogy would have been to compare it with China's criminal act of beleageruing Tibet but what's less surprising is that China takes the chance ASAP to denounce Japan. This shows China's true face: at any price try to make Japan look bad. Besides, hypocrisy is not the right word here. Whoever came up with using this word here doesn't know what he's talking about.

Such a naive PM. Show your stupidity to the world.

At this point it is a clumsy statement from Abe. He should have kept his mouth shut and wait for more concrete info. The similarities between the way Russia and China reason and act is definitely there. Putin has now got much more heat than he planned for and hopefully that can be something China learns from.

serendipitous: "I disagree. I'd say if China did manage to take the Senkakus by force, that would be exactly the same as what Russia has done with the Crimea"

Sorry... when did China forcefully take back the Senkakus? Did I miss something? So, if they haven't, how is the comparison valid?

"It's not bad-mouthing China, it's a preemptive comment that helps bring more world attention to China's dodgy ways and aspirations of getting more territory that isn't theirs."

Ah, you mean at the same time as Japan wants other islands that do not belong to them, right? Can you see the kettle there, pot? Just because Abe one day claims he wants to bridge ties then turns around and burns the bridges (not even yet built) down does not make it any less hypocritical. Abe's a lot like Watanabe and Inose (but two example THIS WEEK!) -- the whole idea of the facade being sold to the public is getting pretty old, and DEFINITELY can't be bought on the international stage.

smith

I disagree. I'd say if China did manage to take the Senkakus by force, that would be exactly the same as what Russia has done with the Crimea. It's not bad-mouthing China, it's a preemptive comment that helps bring more world attention to China's dodgy ways and aspirations of getting more territory that isn't theirs.

I thought Abe San should keep his big mouth shut. the world must be too quiet without him!

Abe is at best" clumsy". He needs to keep his mouth shut. This is not the time to be irritating China at all because it is already irritated. Tempers need to calm down and the only way that can be achieved is to stop with the backbiting.

Also China has nooooooooo business at all calling him hypocritical because they are doing the exact same thing. In fact, that is all they ever do. I do feel for Abe on this point though. China is always attacking him and his policies. Reminds of the old saying, "Those in glass houses should not throw stones".

I seriously think that Abe is doing exactly what China is doing. Both of them know that they need an angry public to stay in power. He must have known that this would serve no purpose at all and would come back to just make the situation worse or he is just plain stupid.

"These comments again expose his true face"

Exactly. Abe steps up on the world stage and claims he wants peace and to further negotiations and improve relations, then he proceeds to shove his foot in his mouth again. Next he'll be suggesting he wants to make peace with Russia and get the islands back and go forward on the gas import deals while saying, "Please understand and cooperate while we bad-mouth you and bad-mouth China by drawing comparisons".

This guy is the worst thing to happen to Japan since WWII. THAT is a valid comparison.

The communist China forgot their own history. China empire was not born overnight, and same tactics has been used throughout their ancient time. Tibet is a fresh example of cultural genocide by this bully. Abe tried to wake up the G7, good luck! since they have been on autopilot for a long time.

What a waste of space! If China HAD NOT denounced Abe for the anology then THAT would have been news. As is this was just a expected reaction by China and their worries about the attention it draws to their expansionism in the South and East China Seas. Good on Abe for this, it's good to see a Japanese PM standing up for what's right and cowering like most past PMs!

Abe san is stuck between and rock and a hard place

Reinhard Drifte produced a detailed working paper for Professor Michio Morishima's Asia Research centre at the school, entitled Japanese-Chinese territorial disputes in the East China Sea - between military confrontation and economic cooperation (2008), it is detailed and relevant, and aspires to clear reference to international law, something the current Chinese government spits nails at.

http://www.lse.ac.uk/asiaResearchCentre/countries/japan/Home.aspx

Abe is spot on this time.

It's quite funny seeing China get in a flap like this. By overreacting, they're basically saying "Hey! Stop letting the world know what we were planning to do!" Of course China are going to try copying Russia. Like father like petulant child. Anyone who doesn't see the similarity hear must be blind. China have already annexed Tibet, it's no stretch to imagine they'll do the same to the Senkaku islands. The only difference is that Senkakus are uninhabited, so there won't be a suspicious landslide victory in China's favour. Wait, no there probably will. It'll turn out that 97% of all the bugs want to secede from Japan. Pssh!

China made the mistake of targetting the Philippines, one of the weakest states in Southeast Asia, for diplomatic isolation and military harassment. By harassing both Japan and the Philippibes together China has made it easier to debunk Chinese' blaming Imperial Japan's actions by pointing out that the Philippines gets the same treatment from China even though the Philippines didn't do anything bad to China in world war 2, or ever, really.

'Japan’s Kyodo news agency said Abe raised the issue at a G7 meeting in The Hague this month'

Abe should stick to reciting what the clever people, the bureaucrats, write for him. Another fine example of how LDP leaders at conferences with generally real politicians ( ones who stay in power for over a year and are usually not there by virtue of daddy or grandpa ) should be seen and not heard. This is a well-educated country and Japanese people deserve better than to be represented by the inept, bungling and unstatesmanlike.

We’ve long since said that this Japanese leader on the one hand hypocritically proposes improving Sino-Japan ties and on the other says bad things about China wherever he is internationally.

Yeah, yeah Hong. Mr Abe should have used the proper Harry Potter reference, or maybe held up pictures of WW2 victims during a visit to Africa of all places. Abe's trying hard but he can't be nearly as imaginative as your communist spin doctors who live in their own little universe. Please try to understand.

I do believe Prime Minister Shinzo is showing signs of 'Irritable Uncle' syndrome.

Is quick to anger during conversation although diplomacy forbids, however a distinctive scowl is visible, becomes defensive or blames others when things don't go according to plan , gets upset if rushed or if there is a change in routine, is bothered easily by others' behaviours, Is argumentative or difficult when others' disagree, provokes arguments with his neighbours when they don't carry out effective seasonal lawn care.

In all fairness though Mother Teresa would have difficulty not having Xi Jinping in a head lock with some of his antics, the 12.2% Increase in military budget springs to mind.

The Senkakus are ours and there is no room for the doubt on that.

As for the Abe's analogy, I think it's perfectly suitable in the given conditions in Crimea. China has shown already that they are willing to change the stato-quo by force when in 1950, they annexed the Tibet.

We Japaneses must be on guard before the threats to our territorial sovereignty.

don't you love hypocrisy

glorifying Japan Empire of WW2 is like glorifying a military authoritarian regime like the one in NK

Probably one of the best PM Japan ever had

For America.

Don't you love thick and thin hide of China?... Also, don't you love hypocrisy? .....ONLY one word has to be said to the Chinese puppet officials - "Tibet"

Probably one of the best PM Japan ever had...>

Pretty much, this. As of this date, Abe is easily the most effective PM since Koizumi, and he WAS one of the greatest PMs Japan has ever had.

This was a good move. China-Japan relations are going to remain icy for a while, unless one side concedes to the other. For Japan, that means recognizing the dispute with China and offering another apology (things Japan should not do since it sets a bad precedent when dealing with China). For China, that means burying the matter and dropping the lawsuits against Japanese companies (something China will not do for now, since this is a good way to get domestic attention focused on something other than their human right's abuses).

By Abe saying this, it turns up the international exposure for Beijing's actions meaning the ball is in their court to lower the stakes. China likes to act like a victim of Japanese aggression (I know, but stifle your laughter a bit), but moves like this, that constantly attack China's aggressive maneuvers undermine that. In short, Abe is making sure that China is seen to be the aggressor by the entire world.

Its an apt comparison. Chinese ships and aircraft enter Japanese airspace every day in their hopes to overwhelm the JSDF and take administrative control of the Senkaku's. No one is gunning for a war, but this is not a game, either. Japan cannot afford to look weak in the face of Chinese aggression over these islets especially considering the "historical" claims Beijing brings to the table; if the Japanese side accedes to this evidence, will China start claiming parts of Okinawa? Not as crazy as it sounds, I assure you.

SchopenhauerMAR. 29, 2014 - 08:30AM JST Someday, Abe will go and the communist regime of China will fall.

There hasn't been a "communist regime" in China for about 20 years. Authoritarian, yes, but there is nothing in the least communist about China's system any longer.

Another great move by Abe!!! Act like you are doing and saying the right things, when in reality, you are as foolish as a sea otter that doesn`t know how to do anything but look smart when you really are not.

I am on side of Russia, but also I know why Abe doing this, he is doing this because of America, and because Japan cant handle alone situation with Senkaku , they had to take side of America in this matter , and to draw analogy of something that we all know that will happen , and thats invasion of Chinese army on Senkaku , and also, they want to give example to Americans how they need to act if China invade Senkaku, they need to have same strong attitude againt China as they have against Russia.But I think that this Crimea crisis showed reality , and thats reality is that Europe is highly dependent on Russian recurses , and because of that , they will sacrifice their experiment called Ukraine revolt, as we seen that even Merkel dont want to put level 3 sanctions on Russia . Obama did called for retreat of Russian forces from Krimea, but more and more, Obama losing suport for that , exept Japan,who support US efforts because of China .

He just can't help himself, can he? And if you're going to get that one right, it would have had to been about Tibet.

I wonder which of his amazing skills Abe will be most remembered for?

Probably one of the best PM Japan ever had...

Let's foreget about political nonsenses and go out for hanami (cherry blossoms viewing). Life is short and we don't have time to worry about those nonsense. Someday, Abe will go and the communist regime of China will fall.

China always blaming someone !!!Not only Japan the Philippines,VIETNAM,Brunei,MALAYSIA.A truly believed that Russia china and North Korea are country that do not recognized the international Law!!!

It's better to say this now than to close the doors after the horse has bolted. We really shouldn't be so naive about China's intentions, thether that's to do with Senkaku or with the South China Sea. This outburst is just posturing from China. Abe saying this won't change what they hope to do one way or another.

Why don't we ask Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei of they disagree with what Abe has said? These are the opinions that matter.

I wonder which of his amazing skills Abe will be most remembered for?

As an economic wizard?

Skilled negotiator and diplomat?

(Sarcasm)

Well said Mr Abe! Your standing in my and the world just went up a notch.

So, Sinzo Abe draw an analogy between Russia's behavior in Crimea and Chinese claims to Senkaku islands? How utterly undiplomatic and definitely stupid political course....Not sure for China but I suppose that Russians will not tolerate such insulting comparisons anymore and the case of Northern Territories is already closed for Japan.

Here we go again, what kind of a leader is this? What was the point of poking China again when China didn’t even side with Russia this time? Maybe Abe has nothing else to think about.

Why did I expect Abe to say that...