politics

China says Abe not welcome after Yasukuni shrine visit

100 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

100 Comments
Login to comment

"Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said at a daily news briefing that “Abe has himself shut the door on talks with Chinese leaders”.

China has been refusing to meet Abe for months on end. So now, as "punishment" for his going to the shrine, China is "refusing to meet with him". OK.....

"“Since assuming office, Abe has miscalculated on Sino-Japan ties, and made mistake after mistake, especially visiting the Yasukuni Shrine which houses ‘Class A’ war criminals. These people are fascists, the Nazis of Asia,” he said."

I don't thing he's made such mistakes. The Japanese economy has turned around, and the Senkakus are still under Japanese control. All of Asia considers China to be the fascists, the Nazis of Asia. Not Japan.

0 ( +31 / -31 )

Guess what islands near Okinawa China is not welcomed to visit! China's and both Korea's opinions are respectfully heard and noted, but "Who cares?" China needs a place to send all the merchandise, and it is called the 100 yen Stores. It must be difficult to accept the fact that the bullying cannot continue. Japan is in the 21st century, and they need to join.

4 ( +24 / -20 )

2013 was one of the worst years for east Asian politics in recent memory.

Hoping 2014 would see improvement in ties between neighbours China, Japan and Korea.

Oh, and happy new year to all!

17 ( +27 / -10 )

The door was open but China broke the windows all the time.

19 ( +29 / -11 )

Abe probably calculated the Chinese (and Korean) reactions based on the pattern during Koizumi's time. The reality is quite a bit stronger than he expected.

For the Chinese, it's not just the shrine visit itself that's the problem. This was only a last straw, and more of an excuse. The real grievances are Abe's obvious attempts at alliance building with ASEAN countries against China. Even military engagements with India, and giving money to the Russians in order to drive a wedge between China and Russia. So the reaction for the shrine visit was really an accumulation of all these grievances coming out at once. This was unexpected for Abe, if he was using only Koizumi's fallouts as a gauge.

To the Chinese, Abe's words and actions in the last year seem to form a definitive pattern. Chinese now interprets his every word and action as deliberately designed to damage China in some way. Even when it is not, it is still assumed so on the Chinese side.

Such is the level of mistrust at this moment. There's no relationship to speak of at the government level.

Now Abe will need the Americans to help him out, perhaps come in and mediate. May be get Biden to come again. Unfortunately for him the Americans are fuming also just this moment.

How awkward everything has suddenly become.

You will notice however, that this is no public protest against Japan in China. Unusual comparing with the past few years. I believe the Chinese governments have learned, and now they are trying to avoid alienating the Japanese population, while at the same time play down the Abe government.

6 ( +17 / -11 )

boo frickin hoo, pretty sure Abe is loosing a lot of sleep over this.

9 ( +21 / -13 )

Abe is a fool and a liar. On one hand he says he wants to meet with China and Korea to Improve ties but his actions and words show his true colors.

US, Europe, Russia, Singpore, Taiwan, China, and Korea all express disappointment and outrage Japan is isolating itself and is the trouble maker in north Asia.

-14 ( +17 / -29 )

China, both Koreas and Japan = bickering children. This is getting old and a lot of these issues should have stayed in the 20th Century. Japan and China are each other's greatest trading partner so this saber rattling is just to improve weapon sales. I wonder how much stock Chinese/North Korean politicians have in Raytheon (Patriot Missle), Boeing (Osprey), Northrop Corporation (B-2 Stealth Bomber)...

1 ( +9 / -8 )

AsianhometownDec. 31, 2013 - 07:45AM JST

Abe is a fool and a liar. On one hand he says he wants to meet with China and Korea to Improve ties but his actions >and words show his true colors.

He is neither. He has been trying to get a meeting with China for months and hey kept refusing. Maybe if they had agreed he may not have made a visit. And now he has set as precedent, that a PM can go to the shrine and China can't do anything about it.

US, Europe, Russia, Singpore, Taiwan, China, and Korea all express disappointment and outrage Japan is isolating >itself and is the trouble maker in north Asia.

Only China and the Koreas are "disappointed" because the visit represents Japan going back to WWII imperialism. Everyone else is disappointed because the visit gives China and South Korea something to rant about.

-2 ( +21 / -23 )

Japan can do whatever it likes, nobody's surprised and nobody cares anymore.

But Japan shouldn't get surprised nor get upset because they're getting a cold shoulder by saying one thing, and doing completely different from what they're espousing.

-4 ( +19 / -23 )

I feel as an average Japanese China and Korea's reactions to Abe's visit on Yasukuni not very much to the point. It comes from misunderstanding if not they are using the theme as their political propaganda. At the shrine, Abe is not pledging rearmament of Japan and not justifying what we did in the past. Are not A-Class war criminals duely punished? They were executed and Japan was sufficiently punished for its imperialism and militarism in the past war. After the war, people all welcomed MacArthur's democratization of Japan. People are rejoiced becoming free from totalitarianism and feudalistic ideas. If any Japanese political leader try to turn the society back to the old one, we will stand up.

6 ( +15 / -9 )

With China's recent actions, Abe had the opportunity to take the high road, but he didn't take it. The end result is that Japan is doing a pretty good job of smearing itself without needing anybody elses help.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

Abe maybe is a liar but definitely not a fool. He knows to fix Japanese economic problems there will be lots of pain to the people of Japan- sales tax increase coming and the really hard thing is to restructure the Japanese economy. In this period he can show to Japanese people he has stood up to China and even America. If the deficit isn't reduced he can show he need to increase the military budget, again against China, Not a fool.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

chucky3176Dec. 31, 2013 - 08:22AM JST Japan can do whatever it likes, nobody's surprised and nobody cares anymore. But Japan shouldn't get surprised nor get upset because they're getting a cold shoulder by saying one thing, and >doing completely different from what they're espousing.

Japan isn't surprised at all. China and South Korea have been giving Japan their cold shoulder for years now, both countries refusing to even hold head of state meetings despite Japan's requests. So what does Abe have to lose? Nothing. You say that Japan says one thing and does another. I far as I can tell, Japan has held by it's commitments and obligations under the 1965 Treaty with South Korea that it signed as well as the 1972 Treaty with China that it signed, in both the letter and spirit. But Both China and South Korea have completely ignored and violated them So which countries are "saying one thing and doing another"?

3 ( +19 / -16 )

Whaaaa.

-3 ( +8 / -11 )

At the street level all of this bleating by the Chinese government is not having quite the effect on their own people as they might wish...

Here in Sapporo the city's hotels and walkways are plugged full of Chinese tourists - smilling happy tourists enjoying the snow, shopping & food - - nothing but smiles, laughter and happy feelings...

The difference in the past few years is the poliferation of the FAMILY tourist groups - lots of kids & teenagers with parents as well as young couples...

Seems to me that this is nothing but good - when kids get to experience foreign countries at a young age it tends to break down the stereotypes that their culture and families try to instill on them... Young Japanese can & are learning from this as well IMO...

What is happening on the street level gives me a lot more hope for the future of both countries...

13 ( +16 / -3 )

Abe should be able to visit any damn shrine in Japan he wants.

There weren't any dialogs to begin with and Abe wasn't welcomed in China nor S. Korea before last week.

China has it's own "Nazis of Asia" to deal with. Mao wasn't exactly spooning with the millions of Chinese he put/starved to death.

3 ( +20 / -17 )

Abe was not welcomed even before the visit. I am shocked to see lots of comments with nonsense words coming from anti-japaneses here.

Why all this anger coming from China and maybe also Korea?

And I have to congratulate american diplomacy. As I always say to everyone: The US is for sure the most evoluted civilization that this world has ever saw.

Two weeks ago they were in a big trouble being in the middle of Japan and Chinese rethoric. After couple of days, with some diplomacy techniques, they were able to become invisible! Only the US know how to do that. In the other hand, Japan is always being targeted by its neighbours...

I wish China could stop with this nonsense rethoric and that Korea could unhide from China's back, and that Tokyo could learn some diplomacy techniques with Washington.

The way I see it all the three asian countries are just children when compared to more evoluted countries from the West.

0 ( +13 / -13 )

China says Abe not welcome after Yasukuni shrine visit

As if Abe was welcome before the Yasukuni shrine visit. China, a threat to Japan in 1274 and a threat to Japan today. Geography dictates politics and the geography of East Asia hasn't changed. It's just like that line from the Talking Heads song... Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...

7 ( +12 / -5 )

Beijing will host APEC next year

Abe was avoided by President Park before. It will be no suprise that President Xi Jiping will treat him like lowly ranking J official and avoid meeting him. He will be nobody at Apec meeting. On the contrary, President Park will be treated by PRC as fairy tale princess. She speaks fluent Mandarin.

Here in Sapporo the city's hotels and walkways are plugged full of Chinese tourists - smilling happy tourists enjoying the snow, shopping & food - - nothing but smiles, laughter and happy feelings...

Chinese tourists from PRC are enjoying their prosperity and new found freedom. They are slowly invading and conquering the Japan property market too. PRC can afford to buy Hokkaido and Okinawa from Japan right now. How time has changed?

If PRC tourists boycott Hokkaido like Ginza, Abe will regret about offending the largest and growing tourist market on that earth. PRC tourists are money machine for Japan not only Hokkaido but also rest of Japan. Booming 1.3 billion consumer market is irrestiable.

What is happening on the street level gives me a lot more hope for the future of both countries...

Ordinary people have no influence over Head of the state decision. For example, President Xi urged PRC tourists to avoid travelling Sapporo, Japan will lose a lot of money.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

You would hope Abe anticipated the responses from China and SK. I think it was a mistake for Japan's Asian business and political relations, BUT...

"These people are fascists, the Nazis of Asia.." is at this point in time just a crazy comment to make, especially from China, which has some past history it shouldn't be proud of.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

China, Keep barking, Shinzo Abe loves it.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

No matter how much Abe and Japan tries to rearm itself, revise all the history, and even "portray the antiwar Constitution as an alien document imposed by Allied occupiers who wanted to keep Japan weak", Japan must still get approval from the US to wage any war in the Pacific - something that Japanese nationalists still need to accept.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/29/world/asia/japan-fights-a-political-battle-using-history-texts.html?pagewanted=all

The suggested changes follow years of nationalist attempts — long backed by Mr. Abe — to whittle away at negative depictions of Japan’s wartime activities. Those who oppose textbook revisions say they are beginning to see the contours of a new strategy: forcing change at the local level that has sometimes failed at the national level.

The shrine controversy is just one focal point out of all the many signs that Japan is slowly turning towards fascism once again. The US should not help them towards this goal, but instead help them to clear steer into morally right direction. The US is the only one who's in the position to stop Japan from pulling a Mussolini.

-9 ( +8 / -17 )

China and US should work together to rein in Abe:

-11 ( +4 / -15 )

Great! Abe doesn't have to go APEC in China next year. He's very busy. Thank you China.

-4 ( +9 / -13 )

"These people are fascists, the Nazis of Asia"

Well it's true, if you put your race above other races and are ready to kill for it you're a fascist.

Those who honor those who brought war to the world will readily start another.

Sadly, the LDP is not very forthcoming when it comes to historical matters and neither when it comes to reducing tensions in Asia.

This game is just too easy for the CCP. You're playing right into their hands.

The LDP is practically ensuring the stability of the communist regime in China.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Abe would visit Yasukuni every year from this year. Whatever other countries say about it, he would just go to pray at shrine just like people going to church. It looks like all mass media making a big fuss about it unnecessarily. That would probably be the reason why he visited suddenly.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

@Fredster You have such a positive outlook of life, i respect that. If only these politicians were like that, they showed us bad politics this year all 3 of them.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Asahi Shimbun reports that 33% of all Japanese in their 20's, in a poll, believe Japan did not invade anyone in the wars. And 22% of youth in their 20's say Japan should eliminate and deport ethnic Koreans from Japan. Sounds like Japan is turning towards fascism to me, when Japan's leaders of tomorrow hold fantasies like these kinds of opinions.

0 ( +12 / -12 )

There it goes, that how Chinese and Korean politician wants to show Japan to the world "These people are fascists, the Nazis of Asia" . That Japan is really like that, then, Korean propaganda music (K-pop) and Propaganda dramas would never been aired and shown in Japan , and even so many insults toward Japan, their music and dramas are there, so, how the hell is Japan Nazi country ? I say China and Korea ore one with Nazi and rassist view of life, they classified Japan and Japan people as enemies and thats it .

-1 ( +10 / -11 )

The spooks in the shrine are bs. Get over it. This is a riot coming from the atheist Chinese. It is another excuse to fight.

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

Chucky, I REALLY DONT CARE if we invaded any other country, not even my father was in that war, for what I care. I dont care at all.

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

Tinawatanabe, Be careful what you wish for,sometimes they come true.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

The spooks in the shrine are bs. Get over it. This is a riot coming from the atheist Chinese. It is another excuse to fight.

Why do people think you need to be a believer in the Shinto religion to object to the shrine's commemoration of over a thousand war criminals? It is not the 'kami' that is being objected to. It is who that is being remembered and honoured that is the issue.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

Abe knew exactly what he was doing and i don't believe he meant to insult South Korea. As for China who cares, a country with one of the worst human rights violations in the history of mankind. I wonder how many millions Mao Se "dung" starved. Hypocrites, I suppose all the oceans belong to them. And our president "O Bummer" a rotten phony himself has the gall to criticize one of our best allies. Maybe he should explain why he has our ,IRS, The Census Bureau manipulate and lie to the American people then he might have a shred of credibility to criticize someone else.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

Interesting NON reaction. Door was shut by Communist China a long time ago. This is transparent even to Chinese citizens.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Both Park Guen-hye (Born 1952) and Xi Jinping (Born 1953) were both born nearly a decade after the Japanese occupation of their respective countries and as such would have no memory of the events or their effects. Thus one has to wonder at their motivation behind their continual harassment of Japan over its war time aggression and expansion.

At what point is a nation cleared of the debt incurred by the folly of its forefathers. It appears to me that both these countries want Japan to kow tow to any demands or reparations each successive generation demands of it. I think this is beginning to wear thin with Japan as it would with any nation being continually harassed and undermined because of past atrocities.

Japan surrendered after taking two atomic bombs dropped directly on its civilian populace by a country that still occupies it to this day. The instigators of the war were dealt with by the occupying power. Japan and her citizens have been duly punished. To keep dragging this sad event in human history back into current politics is just going to fan the flames the same ideology that started Japans imperialism in the first place. You cannot keep disciplining for the same crime over and over again as this will end up having the opposite effect. Something nobody sane actually wants.

8 ( +13 / -5 )

PRC can afford to buy Hokkaido and Okinawa from Japan right now. How time has changed?

Well the PRC should've bought the Senkakus then.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Like this is news! Gee and about the kids the American ones do not know the names or locations of them. So since das Peoples Republic of China will not talk that leaves only a single solution. We must be ready for their strike. The PRC wants to kill Japanese in a bad way. I say bring it on! Get our people out of harms way in the PRC and Republic of Korea and wait.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Abe hasn't met directly with Jinping until now, but the probability was looming (they had an upcoming meeting scheduled). Abe has burned his bridges now, and it's doubtful that he will ever meet with Jinping.

Set back Japan-Sino relations years with the visit to Yasukuni, Abe did. But at least the right-wingers (and a weird group confused foreigners) are happy!

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

chucky3176Dec. 31, 2013 - 09:51AM JST Asahi Shimbun reports that 33% of all Japanese in their 20's, in a poll, believe Japan did not invade anyone in the >wars. And 22% of youth in their 20's say Japan should eliminate and deport ethnic Koreans from Japan. Sounds like >Japan is turning towards fascism to me, when Japan's leaders of tomorrow hold fantasies like these kinds of opinions.

Chucky, if a poll were conducted in South Korea asking (1) Did you know 240,000 Koreans served in he Imperial Japanese Armed Forces in WWII? (2) Did you know that Koreans in the IJA made full use of the Comfort Women? (3) Did you know that South Korean soldiers in Vietnam massacred many unarmed villagers? How many South Koreans in their 20% would give figures anything close to the 66% of Japanese who believe that Japan DID invade other countries? South Korea has always been and still is closer to a fascist state than Japan ever has since 1945.

1 ( +10 / -9 )

Propaganda 101, make a claim enough times and people will start believing it.

Prime Minister Abe sneezes, China and the Koreas are outraged and claim he is an insensitive warmonger! Prime Minister Abe smiles, China and the Koreas are outraged and claim he is an insensitive warmonger! Prime Minister Abe walks, China and the Koreas are outraged and claim he is an insensitive warmonger! Prime Minister Abe waves, China and the Koreas are outraged and claim he is an insensitive warmonger! Prime Minister Abe dances, China and the Koreas are outraged and claim he is an insensitive warmonger!

It really doesn't matter what he does or what he doesn't do the PRC and the Korea's will try and vilify him and his actions.

This entire row as with every row that involves Japan is over wealth, lots of wealth. China and the Korea's want it and Japan won't give it to them.

The folks that really think this has anything to do with what happened over 68 years ago need to just look to my beginning sentence because you have fallen for it hook-line and sinker.

That fish you caught turns from a minnow to a whale.

3 ( +10 / -7 )

China has said it is willing to talk to Japan about the issue

Abe has called for dialogue with China since returning to power a year ago, but Beijing had shown no inclination to respond to those overtures even before the latest Yasukuni controversy.

Um, really China? Way to show your willingness to talk, by not being willing to talk, even before the visit to Yasukuni. That's just pathetic. If you want peace, then you'll talk despite any objections you have to Yasukuni Shrine. That's the mature way to do things, and of course, China is just an overgrown baby. If they actually strengthened ties with Japan, then they couldn't complain about Japan being antagonistic. So instead they decide to moan and complain and throw wild accusations without any evidence. It's slander and libel. Aren't there laws against this? Grow up China. Same goes to South Korea and the US. Getting nervous about Abe going to Yasukuni would be like getting nervous about a Muslim going to a Mosque. I'm disappointed in these three countries, I really am. I was starting to respect America after they sent B52's into China's ADIZ, showing support for Japan and opposition to the ADIZ. I should have known it wouldn't take long for them to do something to lose that respect.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

How many Americans do you think, in their twenties, who want an ethnic cleansing in their country? 22% of them, like Japan?

YuriOtaniDEC. 31, 2013 - 10:59AM JST Like this is news! Gee and about the kids the American ones do not know the names or locations of them. So since das Peoples Republic of China will not talk that leaves only a single solution. We must be ready for their strike. The PRC wants to kill Japanese in a bad way. I say bring it on! Get our people out of harms way in the PRC and Republic of Korea and wait.

-10 ( +5 / -15 )

OssanAmerica, you are just repeating the propaganda that's being blared by Japanese fascist netizens at 2ch and Youtube.

Chucky, if a poll were conducted in South Korea asking (1) Did you know 240,000 Koreans served in he Imperial Japanese Armed Forces in WWII? (2) Did you know that Koreans in the IJA made full use of the Comfort Women? (3) Did you know that South Korean soldiers in Vietnam massacred many unarmed villagers? How many South Koreans in their 20% would give figures anything close to the 66% of Japanese who believe that Japan DID invade other countries? South Korea has always been and still is closer to a fascist state than Japan ever has since 1945.

-9 ( +7 / -16 )

Chucky, if a poll were conducted in South Korea asking (1) Did you know 240,000 Koreans served in he Imperial Japanese Armed Forces in WWII?

@Ossan - I can answer them for you. Koreans are well aware that many Korean men were drafted into Japan's armed forces, and those not fit for military duty were drafted into harsh labour in Japanese factories under slave conditions. Are you trying to tell me they happily and joyously volunteered for all of it?

(2) Did you know that Koreans in the IJA made full use of the Comfort Women?

So you admit it actually existed?

(3) Did you know that South Korean soldiers in Vietnam massacred many unarmed villagers?

Off topic, but most if not all Koreans are aware. Apology was made by President Kim Dae Jung but I think more direct actions are needed.

How many South Koreans in their 20% would give figures anything close to the 66% of Japanese who believe that Japan DID invade other countries?

If Korea invades another country, we'll see. Until then it's conjecture.

South Korea has always been and still is closer to a fascist state than Japan ever has since 1945.

It's a matter of opinion. It's a rather radical view to say either are fascist.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

China's road side politician and their politics, CHEAP !!!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

China, a threat to Japan in 1274 and a threat to Japan today.

In 1274, China was a colony of Yuan dynasty known as Mongols. Back then it was belong to Mongol empire. It should be correct as Mongol therat to Japan in 1274.

Geography dictates politics and the geography of East Asia hasn't changed

In my view, tourists volume from Japan has declined. Back in 1980s Japanese tourists and business travellers were big spenders. Now PRC is buying Japan piece by piece according other posters. PRC is richer and Japan is losing the competiveness. Therefore East Asia has changed a lot. Japan is no longer in hey days of 1980s.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

I'm very tired of China in particular using history as a political football and their bullying behaviour in general. Usually I would not support a Japanese Prime Minister visiting Yasukuni, however on this occasion I am glad Abe has done it, standing up to China and giving them a very much deserved middle finger.

It is a shame though that this harms relations with South Korea. If anything, Japan and South Korea need to team up more to counteract China.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Are the Chinese going to leave Tibet if Abe apologizes for his visit? Are they going to leave East Turkestan? Are the Chinese going to acknowledge that the Senkaku Islands belong to Japan and pull back? We all know the answer to these questions. China's current strategy is ripped right out of the Yuan Dynasty playbook. No amount of apologies is going to stop China from increasing its military and threatening its neighbors. China is no less a threat now than it was in 1274. Geography dictates politics and the geography hasn't changed and neither has the politics.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

It is rubbish to point one finger to other while you having three fingers point at yourself. Chairman Mao killed millions Chinese without trial during revolutionary war and they pay respect to him everyday, and that is an internal matter , right!

9 ( +11 / -2 )

So it's just: Abe made a stupid or calculating move depending on what he's trying to achieve. The chinese government is full of stupid corrupt people trying to mock Japan with whatever they can find. And don't try to deny it. Alot of my friends are Chinese and their families don't exactly like the government. Plus Chinese people are really stubborn about WWII even if it didn't happen directly to them. (Most chinese people, the older generations anyway) and then blaming citizens who weren't involved in the way. Okay, leaving that there, if korea and china weren't willing to hold talks with Japan, the Shinzo really had nothing to lose visiting the shrine though he didn't exactly gain anything either...It's like he's standing on one spot and turning a little towards the wrong direction... Plus I'm sure your everyday Japanese people don't want to go to war in the first place or become what they once were so stop being so paranoid.

Class A’ war criminals. These people are fascists, the Nazis of Asia Okay, tell me how dead people are going to do anything anytime soon? The visit infuriated China and South Korea, both of which were occupied by Japanese forces until the end of the war Get over it, this happened so freaking long ago and no one really wants to remember it so stop bringing it up. Japan's been punished enough. Neither the citizens or government of Japan of the 21st century have anything to do with it. Of course the Chinese people don’t welcome such a Japanese leader, and Chinese leaders will not meet him No, that's not the point. Alot of chinese people won't accept Japanese in general because they're stubborn on the topic of WWII and the chinese government keeps bringing up crappy propaganda. I'm 100% sure the Chinese govt. doesn't actually give a damn about the issue of WWII. "Oh look, Abe gave us an excuse to jump on Japan. Let's do it! And while we're at it, let's try to distract the Chinese populace from the shit we've put them through."

0 ( +4 / -4 )

No amount of apologies is going to stop China from increasing its military and threatening its neighbors.

If the apologies are sincere and remorseful, neighbors will accept it. I was born and raised in Myanmar or Burma. Government is corrupted and shamelessly accepting Japan aids for white washing the history. Decent and Ordinary people will not change history according Abe wish. Japan commited atrocities and unspoken crimes against Myanmar people.

Abe changed the history during his first term. He was and is a flip flopper. He is shamelessly promoting his polictial agenda.

Are the Chinese going to leave Tibet if Abe apologizes for his visit?

Are the Japanese will free Okinawa if Chinese going to leave Tibet? Are Japanese going to leave Takeshima as Korean territory?

China is no less a threat now than it was in 1274. Geography dictates politics and the geography hasn't changed and neither has the politics

Japan is no less a threat now that it was in 1937 to19 45. Right wing nationalists are trying to change the constitution for revising and glorifying the imperial army unfinished business. Pure and Clean Yamato clans will protect and control Asians from the west. Asians will say NO to Abe grandpa nationalistic and imperial progaganda.

.

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

Let's see Abe's birth certificate. Is it Chinese? Is it S or N Korean? But out China and S n N Korea. Japanese need to wake up to that these nations are trying the intimidation tactic. Forget it. Bravo, Abe, bravo.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

Plus I'm sure your everyday Japanese people don't want to go to war in the first place

They didn't before WWII either. The people have never really had a say in Japan. It's always been a top-down society, where the people at the top tell the people at the bottom how it is. Japan may not be a classed society in name, but it's still a classed society.

This creates a disconnect for many non-Japanese, as the Japanese people they meet and know are usually very nice and polite. So when something anti-Japanese is said, their hackles go up, as they want to defend the country of the nice people they have met. The disconnect comes from not realizing that the ruling class in Japan are not those same nice people that we meet in our lives. They are a different group, driven by power and vested interests, and most importantly by history. Hundreds of years of history. It's a veritable Game of Thrones out there.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

If there is a next generation, this incident will surely make for interesting study. The Chinese and Korean over-the-top outrage is wildly skewing the expected outcome of this internal matter as seen from the viewpoint of political game theory. So much so that I'm finding it impossible to outright condemn the shrine visit.

By ignoring what Abe said, the Chinese and Koreans have negated what could have been a first step at reforming the image of Yasukuni. Or not. Either way I imagine that those defending the interred war criminals' spirits, which is always spouted as the devisive issue, will be dug in even deeper now to keep them there.

Abe chose a day that was important to him, stated plainly that he was praying for peace. He is free to do so, to worship as he pleases, under every law in Japan. Beijing and Seoul have no right to think they can restrict Abe's freedom of religion.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

@honey Did you read the article? It is China who doesn't want Abe. So, Abe has to be "reluctantly" obliged.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

As if Abe - or any Japanese PM as a matter of fact - was ever welcome to China! Coming to think of it... The Japanese Communist party would probably be welcome. But if you listen to their leader's rambling you'd think you're listening to one of the CCP cronies anyway.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

Now all Japan needs to do is "retaliate" by preventing Chinese tourists from visiting over the New Year. will make Tokyo a much nicer place to be.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

AKBfan, Come to think about it. theres nothing wrong with chinese people, they are somehow heartless but thats CCP fault.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

So Japan is doing the Chinese tourists a favor by allowing them into Japan to tour and spend their money?

Wow, the logic of some people here is amazing, or should I say deluded?

-9 ( +6 / -15 )

I'm sure if the government got strict on enforcing the visa status of the current generation of Chinese and South Korean 'comfort women' in Japan, there would be a lot of women in Japan provided with one way tickets back to their country of origin. The CCP and Mrs Park wouldn't have much to say I bet.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

A bit strange that China walked straight in to this political trap. Do they ever think? Abe has been positioning himself as the one seeking to improve relations for some time. China has refused, I guess feeling quite satisfied with themselves. By going to Yasukuni he has now won support among the nationalist voters and made China show their unwillingness to meet. In the eyes of the world it will be China that is remembered as reluctant to improve ties should anything happen. Abe has the serve...

2 ( +4 / -2 )

"Abe had repeated his hopes for talks with Beijing last week, when he visited the Yasukuni shrine where Japanese leaders convicted as war criminals by an Allied tribunal after World War Two are honored along with those who died in battle."

Moron. You don't slap someone in the face as a prelude to asking them for 'peace'.

Ossan: "China has been refusing to meet Abe for months on end. So now, as "punishment" for his going to the shrine, China is "refusing to meet with him". OK....."

The exact same can be said of Abe; he said months ago he planned to go to Yasukuni if China did not agree to talks, so as 'punishment' he went to visit the shrine. And yes, Japan is not surprised by China's reaction at all, nor should they be. The government knew full well what its actions would receive in terms of reaction. Anyone, and I mean anyone, who honestly believes Abe's intentions in visiting the shrine were to promote peace is in serious need of psychiatric evaluation.

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

AKBfanDEC. 31, 2013 - 02:11PM JST Now all Japan needs to do is "retaliate" by preventing Chinese tourists from visiting over the New Year. will make Tokyo a much nicer place to be.

chucky3176DEC. 31, 2013 - 02:43PM JST So Japan is doing the Chinese tourists a favor by allowing them into Japan to tour and spend their money? Wow, the logic of some people here is amazing, or should I say deluded?

Chucky, cut him a break. He loves AKB48 so he's obviously not the smartest person on the planet.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

It would be the biggest mistake for the Japanese people to fall for Abe's plan which equates to purposely stirring up the predictable anti-Japanese outpourings by the Chinese and Korean governments to bolster his own support and ideas. Those "ideas" include changing the Japanese constitution away from its in-built pacifism, spending literally billions of tax dollars on increasing and equipping a Japanese military (while doubtlessly increasing the bank accounts of those politicians connected to the industries that will benefit from this policy) and the possible eventual acquisition of a nuclear deterrent.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

So what - who gives a damn about China!?

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Ossan: Meant to add at the end of my comment that the point is both governments are acting equally childish, and this kind of tit-for-tat nonsense won't get anyone anywhere.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

Abe and his minons are very bad amateur politicians. Not because they simply are, but because political decision making in japan requires no skills what so ever compared to a western industrial democracy.

Abe and his lawmakers rely on hidden code communication when engaging with their voters or close supporters . . . . every thing is symbolic and very "japanese" . . . which again is the reason they are romantic, spoiled children. They think that politics are made with shinto doctrine and typical japanese apathy!

Ad to this japanese hierarchy and patriarchal pathos and you quick understand why nobody understands japan . . . . or shall I say japan doesn't get right how to communicate with the rest of the world, a world that give a f& about japanese dark age feudal principals.

Abe and his folks sit in their dark rooms, imagining how they should look to the world and how japan should look to that same world as well . . . then when somebody tells them the truth, how narrow minded, untalented and bad they are, they wine like little angry girls----- see human rights envoyé Hideaki Ueda.

Japan's public diplomacy hovers between the ludicrous and the sinister.

The sinister part however is that: Despite Abe and the shinto folks being far from endorsing Nazi principals, none of the present politicians has grown up in times preceding WW2. However is the pattern of frustrated, small minded power suckers the same . . . . Abe and the shinto freaks sit in their dark rooms like Hitler and Goebels once did, constructing the ideal world for them, japan and every one else in accordance with their own cultural values . . . . which are very undemocratic at best!

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

**Those japaneese criminals commited crime equal to worse to the one commited by nazy. If anyone in the world would go pray on their tomb, it would be incriminated with criminal charge and prison.

What he did was a serious mystake of misplace pride.

Just because Chineese tend to be dishonest, it is not acceptable to mistreat their pain and anger. Do not forget that after the war , it was not in the interest of the american to reveall the thruth about what they found about the japan action in asia. They had a war against a communism to win and their could not aford china to be a victim.

What people should pray is about the china collective soul to forget and forgive the japan action at the time. Because if not there will have another war. China is not the type to forgive without heartfull excuse, and a mémorial admiting the crime of japan to Asia as a proof that never again Japan will commit those sin (and a yearly appology during fifty year at least).

Understand, the jewish were not the only one to suffer, numerous chineese and corean suffered exactly the type of treatment. Sad but truthful.. **

0 ( +2 / -2 )

After hearing this announcement this morning, 1.3 billion people in China, and 130 million people in Japan, wondered ponderously, "what are we gonna have for lunch today?"

2 ( +2 / -0 )

To all of those with the flippant 'who cares what China thinks' type responses - grow at least half a brain. Many jobs, including my own, are at risk if the relationship between China and Japan deteriorates further. I've spent quite a lot of time in China and many of my business acquaintances and good friends there are sick and tired of posturing idiots in both governments putting people's livelihoods and even safety at risk in ridiculous cockfights. Happy New year to all of you and I hope you, your families and your jobs will stay safe in 2014.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

@Nadège The thing is however, that the americans didn't find anything at all that could be scaled to a NAZI proportion. And that is the stance of the japanese revisionists who are actually very right with their claims, yet forget to addition all 100% known accounts together and acknowledge at least the scale of that horror.

The howl truth about the pacific war come from allied pacific campaign accounts, describing the horrors of POW executions, last stand city sieges, battlefield brutality . . . . at the very end you can just blame the IJA for mass POW executions and handling of city sieges (Manila disaster), as far as the americans accounts are concerned.

Then, a second portion of the western legit blame, is the 1941 consequent mistreatment of conquered places by the IJA. Yet again the focus ignores war reality, like the impossibility of the IJA to handle the POWs in Singapore, resulting in to the death marches. In Singapore, Manila and Dutch indies, as well as Hongkong, the mass executions of chinese civilians is a war crime of huge scale, yet in no comparison to the jews fate in occupied Nazi territories.

The asian blame however, other then the precise western american accounts, is much more blurred. It is impossible to count how many civilians died executed, as bombardment or battlefield action victims or in large scale massacres. Nor is it possible to know how many people died in experiments of the U371.

The chinese civil war raging at the same time, plus Mao and Tchang Kaï-chek inter war mixed up fighting the japanese, makes any calculation impossible to determine how many people did specific trough japanese hands, after the presumed Nanjing massacre up to 1945.

Then comes the infamous Nanjing massacre it self, that probably is a hoax. (and I would be the first to blame japanese if I would see real facts about this, don't get me wrong) . . . but the accounts are a fars at best, as the only legit accounts are of the chinese red cross, japanese press and chinese prefectural accounts, state of no organized rape, yet a 40000 close city death toll of mostly soldiers, another 40-60000 deaths in a 200km radius of the japanese front before reaching Nanjing, then probably moderate few thousand deaths in Nanjing do to bombardement, a few thousand francs-tireurs and guerrilla mob up executions in the city after the fall. And at the very end a probable 3000 rapes and few hundred murdered women in the so called rape of Nanjing.

All in one terrible, but in no difference to other situations on both fronts of WW2 and far from the claim of a million raping, killing japanese monsters, dismembering chinese women and children while raping them!

The huge chinese death toll of soldiers results in their indiscriminate tactics for their own folks, with no consideration for the local population or attempts to save a maximum, especially the death toll in battle fields surrounding cities, the locals were mostly brutalized two times, first by their own then by the japanese.

In this face, the japanese will never take full blame of an organized one sided view of massacres like the Nazis. The turmoil in china was so huge that even with no japanese venture in to china, the result would have been millions of deaths. . . which proved latter true with the chinese revolution and second battle of Nanjing.

The japanese historians don't want to minimize, but get facts straight, complex and dry.

However the japanese right wingers us this complex stance as defacto un-apology of the imperial atrocities, fueled by western and sino over blown facts.

-13 ( +1 / -14 )

Let's talk about WAR CRIMES, Mao, Stalin committed more war crimes against friend and foe and they have citizens from both countries worship or admiring them as if they did no wrong. I'm sure some or a small majority of Japanese soldiers regret what they did in WW2, but it was the mind set on how to fight (Bushido) the allies and foreign ciitzens. Hope people understand my point

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

suhiro3333 it is a little more than "regret" for the actions of our ancestors. However with the exception of the very old the population is innocent of crimes against the Republic of China and Republic of Korea. Most Japanese do not think about the dead war criminals. In my mind no matter what does or does not do will never change the course of the Peoples Republic of China and the Republic of Korea. This is just like Europe in 1938 and the course of history is yet written. The question is who's side you are on?

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

What right or authority does China have to insinuate Abe is not welcome to APEC? Does China think it can unilaterally exclude Abe? All members should boycott the mtg.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

Machine translation: [ At a press conference on December 30, half Ereli Washington = Yamaguchi, Kyoko] U.S. Department of State in connection with that it has issued a statement to the Yasukuni Shrine Abe's U.S. government of being "disappointed", It said, "can speak honestly to each other when there (of opinion) is a difference, it is also a testament to the close relationship"

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I don't thing he's made such mistakes. The Japanese economy has turned around, and the Senkakus are still under Japanese control. All of Asia considers China to be the fascists, the Nazis of Asia. Not Japan.

Well said Ossan.

“I hope there would be no acts next year which destroy trust between two countries or worsen the public sentiment by digging up the wounds of the past,” President Park Geun-hye said in a meeting with aides.

Great idea Park. So try to avoid going on the BBC and telling a bunch of lies this year please. That would be a start.

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

Maybe Abe is delighted to learn he succeeded in irritating China? He could be thinking how to irritate S Korean and USA. No, not USA. Obama began learning Abe;s tactic on World diplomacy such as Iran talks. Not yet.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

YuriOtani: "However with the exception of the very old the population is innocent of crimes against the Republic of China and Republic of Korea. Most Japanese do not think about the dead war criminals."

Clearly most Japanese do, given the backlash after Abe's visit, and that is despite the white-washed education that Abe advocates!

"In my mind no matter what does or does not do will never change the course of the Peoples Republic of China and the Republic of Korea."

And that is why it's hard to take your comments objectively, Yuri.

"This is just like Europe in 1938 and the course of history is yet written. The question is who's side you are on?"

Better question is, whose side are you on, Yuri? One day it's "The Okinawan people", next it's Japan's, next it's "Americans have to defend us but I want them off our land", b-b-b-but China would never attack with the alliance, etc. etc.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

Ahhh China, the mentality of ancient middle kingdom 's emperor is well and truly alive !... communist or not..

0 ( +5 / -5 )

people please....yes the Chinese leaders don't listen to their people, Do the Japanese leaders listen to their people? Communist in China and democracy in Japan, just a play of words. In Japan the politician-business complex as powerful as the communist party in China.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

At current stage, ending relationship between China/Korea and Japan is a reasonable way.

In the end, you don't want China to throw bombs at you, right, wingers?

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

In which universe is barring someone from entering China a punishment? Sounds like a favor to me.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

How many souls are there ?? This is the worlds problem! No country has the right to dictate how another pays tribute to lost souls. China with its history of invasions is probably more documented the when rome was in power ! Hypocrites !

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Facist? I think China is getting there vocabulary mixed up. By the way they China end "your" Imperialist acts before you judge Japan for there historical acts of Imperialism.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Abe had nothing to do with the triggering event. In 2012, former PM Noda ordered his government to buy Senkaku/Diaoyu islands from a private owner, an action which, in China’s view, effectively nationalized them. Given the nationalist mood in China, the Chinese government couldn’t risk appearing weak in its response. Since the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands purchase was made by Noda government, Abe does not need to feel bound by the decision. In fact, after visiting Yasukuni, Abe may be in a stronger position to compromise on the islands.

Abe could make the same offer to China that Japan has made to South Korea over a different set of disputed islands, to have the issue resolved by the ICJ. We all know that China will not agree to ICJ. But by taking the ICJ, Japan would both reaffirm its reasonableness, and satisfy the major precondition China by acknowledging that sovereignty of the Senkakus/Diaoyu is in dispute. Although Xi can’t afford to look weak domestically, he also can’t afford a geopolitical crisis that would disrupt China’s economy and possibly global trade.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

good move china, i'm happy with this decision

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

sfpj330: "Abe had nothing to do with the triggering event."

True, but he has a whole lot to do with making it a lot worse, doesn't he?

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Up to them, no one has forcing Chinese leaders to meet democratically elected Japanese Prime Minister.

I never heard German Government officials apologizing Gay peoples, Gypsy, Disable peoples and Jewish peoples for executions and stealing their property in anniversary of end of WWII annual ceremony. German Government had done 10,000 times worst than Japanese Government in WWII. German Government needs to clean about stolen gold and artworks from Jewish victims in WWII and German Government must be given back with interest to Israel if owners do not have left children or relatives.

German Government needs to clean its face, mouth and hands first before criticizing other.

During the WWII Japanese Government had made friendship with worst war criminal and learned worst ideology from that criminal and carry out war crime act on advice and behalf of believe to best his best friend and teacher in east. That was worst Japanese Government mistake in WWII. If Japanese Government didn’t make friendship and alliance with Germany in WWII and then Japanese Government may be never committing such as horrific war crime in East.

That’s why we told our children do not make friend with wrong peoples. Post WWII Japanese Governments have been making friendship with right Governments after they have learned from past. Everyone who want to criticize today Japanese Government and then they need to honest about truth and must accept reality.

If Communist leaders wanted to talk same level like democratic country leaders and then Communist Chinese must open up controlling Chinese people’s lives and must be practice democracy. Democracy word is not dirty word like Communism which is masking on Authoritarianism, Nazism and Fascism.

Generations of Japanese Governments have apologized for more than ten thousands times and paid hundred billions of dollars in compensated to victim Governments. The problem is generation of corruption in receiver Governments. They never talk to their peoples and Government's' ministers and their departments are siphoning from generation of Japanese Governments' billions dollars of Compensation aid. Communist Chinese Government and South Korean Governments need to come clean and show their honesty and gratitude to Japanese Government and Japanese peoples now.

Once again, we Japanese peoples and Government are sincerely sorry and sympathy for victims’ suffering in during WWII atrocity which were carry out by past Japanese Imperial military in during the World War II. Generations of Japanese Governments have given aid money, technology and humanitarian assistance to victim Governments as compensation and continuing supporting peoples of victim countries via their Government and NGO. This is showing of Japanese Governments honestly remorseful for past Japanese Government mistake.

Chinese peoples and S. Korean peoples or historians in both countries will ask their Government for true and genuine records of Japanese Governments’ aid money and other assistance as compensation for WWII. Also their Governments will pay compensation money to surviving family members and relatives which were paid by Japanese Government as agreement.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

The significance of this is not that China doesn't want to take to Abe, but that they officially said so. In other words, it means foreign relations and deteriorating further.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

China refused Japan overtures for a meeting to try and cool down tensions, but China wanted no part of it. Anything with China has preconditions attached to it and that is the case with anything anyone has to do when involved with China. Abe made a point with this to China, you want to snub us, then here, take this, nothing you are going to do because you already did it by denying any exchanges! China is like a spoiled child!

1 ( +3 / -2 )

tyvtgo: "you want to snub us, then here, take this, nothing you are going to do because you already did it by denying any exchanges! China is like a spoiled child!"

And how does that make Abe any less of a 'spoiled child'? What's more, Abe said he was willing to meet and talk to China about Senkaku, but refused to admit there is any issue of sovereignty. Imagine that, being invited to talks when you are not allowed to speak your opinion. Seems rather pointless, and hence we have yet again an example of China finding the idea of any talks pointless based on the PM's actions. I mean, seriously... you think he was trying to 'cool things down' by visiting Yasukuni?

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Chosun Ilbo reports lengthy lines of Japanese to visit. Where is the story on JT?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

In other news, Water is Wet, Politicians are corrupt, and China is still Whinging on about Yasakuni to distract from their internal problems.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

And how does that make Abe any less of a 'spoiled child'? What's more, Abe said he was willing to meet and talk to China about Senkaku, but refused to admit there is any issue of sovereignty

Smith. Read tyvtgo's post more carefully. It's China that is setting the prerequisites to the meeting which is to admit the dispute. Abe said no. Hence the China's whining.

0 ( +3 / -4 )

If China will give me an address I will send them a crying towel to help them.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

China's double standards are hilarious. 1 million Tibetans dead at the hands of their glorious PLA. They dare talk about others.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites