China may try to join hands with Japan to challenge U.S.

Japan and China. Yeah two very honest and free trade promoters... NOT. Trump is only trying to level an unfair playing field created by unfair practices by.... you guessed it Japan and China

May? Do it! I would love for Trump to throw a "it's not fair" tantrum

I wouldn't shake the Chinese govt's hands for anything. They're dirty and can't be trusted.

China will NEVER drive wedge between Japan and USA.

Japan needs to cut itself free from the U.S.A. It's been manipulated by the US since WWII.

Trade transcends politics!

Japan and China. Yeah two very honest and free trade promoters... NOT. Trump is only trying to level an unfair playing field created by unfair practices by.... you guessed it Japan and China

The steerless Trumpists need new 'feed' from the Lead clown to compose their 'opinions' :)

Gogogo

May? Do it! I would love for Trump to throw a "it's not fair" tantrum

I'll buy the drinks, you bring the snacks... would make for a great night... comedy gold, as they say.

On a serious note, China is not stupid and they know it would bring division between the US and Japan, then when that happens, She would then turn against Japan.

I do not trust China at all and believe once they have Japan under their grasp conflict will emerge. USA makes mistakes but it is an ally of Japan. As far as manipulate Japan, countries do this to each other so stop trying to pass blame to one country or another...

The steerless Trumpists need new 'feed' from the Lead clown to compose their 'opinions' :)

can't wait to see these people crying when he gets re-elected. If you want to support China go ahead

A Japanese government official said, "Japan will not be able to maintain national strength without China's cooperation."

After World War Two, it was America that supported the restructuring of Japan. It was America's free trade that opened the doors for an onslaught of Japanese exports. It is America that has and does defend Japan. Where is the appreciation and thankfulness.

The accord stipulates that the two nations will develop bilateral ties based on the principles of "mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and peaceful co-existence."

I wonder which parts China required?

Japan should trade with China, most definitely. That's only reasonable for neighbors.

Japan should also apply pressure to help China become a more free society with freedom of speech, expression, travel, association, politics with more than 1 party, no govt censorship and without a ruler for life.

Right?

Japan should always remember with whom they are dealing.

"As China and the United States have been locked in a tit-for-tat trade war, Beijing and Tokyo have also pledged to step up bilateral cooperation to tackle trade protectionism by Trump and safeguard the free trade system."

This one made me laugh, here are to of the most protectionist countries in the world with unfair trade practices.

I don't believe the hype, trade is trade.  Every country has a right to do as they please with trade but when it comes to politics it is always a different ball game.

Bothe countries China and USA govts. know Abe has two faces...

Alexandre T. Ishii

China and USA govts. know Abe has two faces...

And both China and the U.S.A. government know that Abe is an obedient puppy dog who will do just what his American master says.

Trump will Twitter “don’t do it, buy our weapons”.

@ray USA defended Japan from what or whom exactly. Having bases here is more of US’s advantage.

Trump driving a wedge into the Japan-US alliance, not China. Besides, President Xi looks much more stable than Trump. It is time for Japan to join the Chinese sphere of influence.

China and Japan have more in common. They are the same race, share similar culture, and have been looked down upon by the western powers. Time to join forces and knock the U.S off its perch in Asia!

Yeah, it makes sense, especially these days. It's easier to negotiate with a devil you do know than a devil you don't.

Hopefully, China won't eventually end up declaring the entire East and South China Seas off-limits to international travel and commerce. The U.S. never did that. As a matter of fact, the U.S., it could be argued, has been good for all of the countries throughout Asia in this regard.

Japan has to tread caustiously. Bad as Trump is, the US is still a way more reliable partner both economically and in terms of security than China. Xi is secure now so he doesn't need to turn on the "anti-Japan campaign" button at the moment, but just a few years ago the government was abetting mobs literally looting and burning Japanese businesses to the ground, something they can easily do again if the mood strikes.

40 years successful story, good story, peaceful story, prosperous story. Now, because of the golden triangle, Northeast Asia finally gains respect from the whole universe.

It would be foolish for Japan to trust China. They smile when they want something. But their position towards Japan is unchanged.

" in a recent policy speech, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed three new “State Memorial Days”: July 7, in commemoration of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident; September 3, in commemoration of the Japanese surrender to Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalist forces; and December 13, in commemoration of the Japanese advance into Nanking. In other words, China is invoking history in its direct confrontation with Japan."

40 years successful story, good story, peaceful story, prosperous story. Now, because of the golden triangle, Northeast Asia finally gains respect from the whole universe.

In this part of the world, Japan and South Korea are respected. North Korea, a filthy regime propped up by China, and China itself are less respected.

Oh, Taiwan is respected.

Jimizo, in Northeast Asia, there is only one culture, two people, three nations.

OssanAmerica, be careful of what you said. Japan has to trust China, no other choices. By your logic, Japan is foolish ? That is a stupidity trap.

Great news. At this stage it's time to stand up to the US under Trump. If Trump can ally with Putin, there's no reason that Japan cannot ally with Xi. For now.

After World War Two, it was America that supported the restructuring of Japan. It was America's free trade that opened the doors for an onslaught of Japanese exports. It is America that has and does defend Japan. Where is the appreciation and thankfulness.

It was America that occupied Japan. It was America that slaughtered hundreds of thousands of Japanese citizens, whilst interning Americans of Japanese ancestry. America keeps Japan on a leash.

You'll get your thankfulness when the military cease their occupation and realise you don't own Japan.

It would be a very dangerous trend for Abe to improve relationship with China. It is contrary to what democracy is. Japan should cut all relationship with China and instead forge a stronger tie to the US. The only way for Japan to survive is to become a protectorate of the US, and become a state of US down the road. There are no other alternatives.

Thomas Ryu, obviously, your democracy is to become a protectorate.

In current reality Japan is still a American State and there's little that can be done about it without surrendering to China's influence. US will not let it go easily by the way.

Japan and China have 2000 years history of trade. Both nations have the same culture of 信. There are no other nations know northeast asia more than northeast asians themselves.

Now this is positive talk. Now for positive action, sooner than later.

Strike down trump while he is weak and that time is now.

The treaty of peace and friendship is a fundamental treaty in northeast asia. It brings about peace and prosperity to both nations and to the northeast asia. It signifies Confucius teaching: 和为贵. Both 和 and 信 are core values to northeast asians.

I think who are Japan's friends is clear. Japan might want to look at the aid given by China and the USA for the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanitarian_response_to_the_2011_T%C5%8Dhoku_earthquake_and_tsunami

And all those military bases help both Japan and the USA. Freedom isn't free. Just ask the people in Macao and Hong Kong how things are changing.

@Ganbare Japan!

China will NEVER drive wedge between Japan and USA.

Between Japan and USA?

Do you mean the forcefully occupation of Japan since WW2 and the stockholm syndrome Japan has developed towards the USA?

I'm not on scumbag china's side, but all parties are rotten here.

The US President, encouraged by Putin, is hell-bent on destroying the world economy. Cooperation between the non-Russian nations of the world, including China and Japan, is necessary for their survival. Ideally, the US Congress will come under Democratic control next year, and Democrats will be able to use their new found power to stop Trump from destroying the economy.

"Democratic control next year, and Democrats will be able to use their new found power to stop Trump from destroying the economy."

This is funny, the American economy is doing very well under Trump. This fact cannot be denied.

I read an article on the Global Times about this topic (commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the treaty of peace and friendship between China and Japan). I love how much future oriented is China toward Japan, unlike South Korea. China is actually open to embrace full cooperation with Japan for a peaceful development of Asia, and despite it knows perfectly Japanese sovereignty is limited because of the American occupation, it wants to boost its bonds with Japan as much as possible. The contrast in attitude with South Korea is sharp. At this point I am starting to think South Korea is way more stuck in the past than China because of American influence. America is used to rule the world through the "dividi et impera" strategy, so it's possible South Korea is manipulated into fueling anti-Japanese feelings. I don't know it, but the difference between China and South Korea in their current attitude toward Japan is surprising. Anyway, the cooperation between China and Japan is increasing day by day. I hope it can be successful, but I fear American interference.

Japan has to tread caustiously. Bad as Trump is, the US is still a way more reliable partner both economically and in terms of security than China.

Don't you think that Japan isn't aware of that. Abe is seen by many as a US lap dog but the J agenda, as all Asian agendas, goes beyond the Trump era.

Xi is secure now so he doesn't need to turn on the "anti-Japan campaign" button at the moment, but just a few years ago the government was abetting mobs literally looting and burning Japanese businesses to the ground, something they can easily do again if the mood strikes.

True but is more likely to happen to American businesses as the trade war continues.

Japanese firms, as firms from other nations, are not only investing but also withdrawing businesses from China for awhile now.

JAPAN IS TRADING A RISKY BET

°

At least, it is hard proof China is going after USA. For this comment, understand the international world, at this moment, is a bit insane and harder to read.

The International matter

China is trying is to restore a kingdom, a true empire. China have always been a dictature and high death toll empire.

If Japan allied itself with China, USA might stop playing kind.

This is not about making war, this is about keeping human value on earth to stop religious wars everywhere. Commonwealth and China have allied themself to rebuild empire with no liberty for the people unless there are lords or rich. That is Mao's opposite way. So they did it quietly.

The Inside Japan problem

Japan empire is not fond on going backward because Japan military tend to take ground power. Emperor is then just a puppet. So in Japan, Empire is not the worse problem. Like In England, it is military.

Abe shows intents that would get ride of the japan empire, but to build what ? Military dictature ? China puppet ?

To conclude

So the deal with China leave me cautious. China is back to social dictature since Xi Jiping is a life going president with a unique political party. That's not a democracy anymore. All democracy are taking urge step back. The only ones that break deals with China are neo-nazi or on the verge to be (Europe and its Kingdoms rulers).

Abe may confirm here is part of world something really dark. It needs to be clearest, cleanest on its intents during USA war money and Europe "problems".

°

NCM

The only way for Japan to survive is to become a protectorate of the US, and become a state of US down the road. There are no other alternatives.

LOL.

This is Stockholm syndrome at its finest.

Absolutely astounding that some still lust for American domination.

Superpower, which ones come up? US, Russia, China. 

Japan? Too insular, bubble lasted from the polluting 60ths until the concreting 90ths. Russia winning ww2, standing up until ´89 having lost support of the third world, now playing foul. China 60years from shooting sparrows, wants to buy up the third world, while not allowing foreigners to drive own vehicle through territory. US turned into a kleptocracy very quickly from being the smartest one on the block.

So small is beautiful on our so small globe.

PsyopsToday  09:30 am JST

"I don't believe the hype, trade is trade."

Wrong! There is free trade, fair trade and unfair trade. Do your homework.

After World War Two, it was America that supported the restructuring of Japan. It was America's free trade that opened the doors for an onslaught of Japanese exports. It is America that has and does defend Japan. Where is the appreciation and thankfulness.

The above is a true statement. Let's stick to the truth. It was America's open markets that made Japan great again.

It’s the old “everyone has their price” game. Although personally would hate to see Japan bend into the Chinese Communist Parties sphere of influence, which comes with the price of turning a blind eye to the small issues of human rights, freedom of speech, cronyism , selective views on history, corruption as the norm amoung others, the way the country seems to be headed it may actually be the natural way forward.

Western values and the concept of the sovereign individual never really took hold anyways. Give up the wasted and ridiculous attempt ( is it really even an attempt ? ) at getting even half competent at English and get everyone to learn Mandarin. Kanji power!

Business after all is business . Would even say the two Asian superpowers have a lot more in common these days too and could totally be new best buddies.

"With depopulation shrinking the economy, Japan will not be able to maintain national strength without China's cooperation."

If you mean cooperation by not invading Japan - then yes, Japan could use China’s cooperation. Abe - don’t be a fool by trusting China.

Trump driving enemies to work with each other!

But be careful, Abe, like his US master, will stab you in the back.

Wrong! There is free trade, fair trade and unfair trade. Do your homework.

Maybe you should look at the leader of your own country then that is pushing for unfair trade.

As a Hong Konger I'd say that China is not to be trusted. Don't give an inch.

As a Hong Konger I'd say that China is not to be trusted. Don't give an inch.

Absolutely agree. The Taiwanese I'm sure would say exactly the same thing.

"At least on the economic front, Japan has already become much closer to China than the United States, and this tendency is likely to continue," another diplomat in Beijing said.

"Japan should be careful not to be taken in by China. The worst-case scenario is that Japan will weaken its bond with the United States. On the security front, the U.S.-Japan alliance remains extremely important for Japan and the Asia-Pacific region," he added.

Japan is in the same position as Australia essentially.

Increasingly tied to China's growing economy and benefiting from it AND at the same time increasingly tied to the U.S military and benefiting from it because China as a totalitarian nationalist socialist state following in the same colonizing path of Europe cannot be trusted, especially under Xi.

How is a nice view of China these days. Complete party loyalty is demanded. No free thought and if you are religious at all? You have a problem.

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/chinas-war-on-religion-academia-president-xi-jinping-moves-to-reassert-communist-party-dominance/news-story/5b6a71c240c3d6c094dbe8dbbfeb2521

Angelina ChanAug. 14  08:28 am JST

As a Hong Konger I'd say that China is not to be trusted. Don't give an inch.

You're so right Angelina. You're my man !

Superpower means ‚Its the money, stupid, well inthis neigbourhood ; so it seems