Outlook for thawing Japan-China ties still fragile

I actually give Kono some props. But not to worry, a Yasukuni visitor will be along to derail things and/or insist on keeping books in his hotel chain that deny Nanking happened.

Optimism has grown about the future course of Sino-Japanese relations,

I'm skeptical.

a Yasukuni visitor will be along to derail things and/or insist on keeping books in his hotel chain that deny Nanking happened.

I'm afraid that's how I see it too. A rapproachement comes from Japan followed by a right wing gesture to appease the right. Its been that way for years. Anyone who has been watching international politics in Asia must be beyond weary by now..

But even as Beijing and Tokyo are trying to create an amicable environment for several reasons, territorial and historical issues are likely to prevent them from building friendly ties, said Jeff Kingston, director of Asian Studies at Temple University Japan.

Jeff, buddy, ANYONE living here knows this. Tell us something we don't know.

"Fundamentally, there is deep permafrost in (China-Japan) relations due to disputes over history, territory and strategic rivalry, so there is a push to promote warmer relations on the 40th anniversary...but relations are tense," Kingston said.

Ya don't say....

Watch out for those thorn filled "Olive Branches" from China. Do you know who the Chinese Government is mainly concerned with... convincing their own people. When you control the media you also need to paint your own country in a benevolent manner. China does this by first putting forth a kind and charitable stance but the whole time they're also flying their Jets into Japanese territory. China has an agenda... that is to take control of island territories and claim all resources. When you have 1.3 Billion people... and you're a Communist Country you scare your neighbors by convincing your own people that you're right and they're wrong. How many times will China sacrifice its population using "human wave / starvation tactics. But... all that said, the USA isn't much different... world powers tend to brainwash their own people into believing they're on a righteous path for the sake of all humanity. No... its really about greed.

When you control the media you also need to paint your own country in a benevolent manner.

After 15 years of media watching in Japan, I've come to exactly the same conclusion about Japan.

I don't think the relationship will thaw, nor do I think the territorial disputes are what's behind the hostility. China is building the ultimate represive and authoritarian state. Japan is the wealthiest, happiest and freest Asian society in existence. China will always have to demonise and discredit Japan in some way to avoid Chinese citizens from demanding the same model. Same goes for the hostility between China and South Korea.

The CCP is a dictatorship. Dictatorships are not legitimate governments, do not represent the people, and should not be engaged. Representatives of the Japanese government (and other democracies, for that matter) should not be meeting with the CCP.

“I actually give Kono some props. But not to worry, a Yasukuni visitor will be along to derail things and/or insist on keeping books in his hotel chain that deny Nanking happened.”

Nanking did happen, not just the way some pseudo historians say it did.

The CCP is a dictatorship.

No it's not. Read the explanations of why: https://www.quora.com/Is-China-a-dictatorship

some minor issue (Yasukuni, Senkaku, Taiwan or whatever) will likely derail this love is sometime soon.

Strangerland, China is definitely a dictatorship in my book. The only essential characteristic of a dictatorship is that it is governed by dictate rather than by some method of popular democracy or rule of law. The mistake you and the link author seem to be making is that you define dictatorship very narrowly as rule by one single all powerful leader. That is certainly the popular image of a dictator but it doesn't properly define all the possible forms of dictatorship which can and do exist. A group of people like the politbureau can preside over a dictatorship. They have a monopoly on dictating how the state will function.

d with... convincing their own people. When you control the media you also need to paint your own country in a benevolent manner

That’s hardly the case. In fact it’s quite the opposite, to show its people China is no pushover.

www.quora.com

ha ha, what a joke.

Strangerland, China is definitely a dictatorship in my book. The only essential characteristic of a dictatorship is that it is governed by dictate rather than by some method of popular democracy or rule of law. The mistake you and the link author seem to be making is that you define dictatorship very narrowly as rule by one single all powerful leader.

Or a small group. Read below as to why it isn't a dictatorship.

www.quora.com

ha ha, what a joke.

Well that well thought out reply definitely Trumps comments like this from the linked page:

Not in the post-Mao era.

Dictatorship is a form of government in which one person or a small group possesses absolute power without effective constitutional limits.

In modern dictatorships it is identified with a charismatic leader, uses official ideology/dogma to legitimize and maintain the regime, uses terror and propaganda to suppress dissent and stifle opposition and to remain in power while also using force to control the economy and individual behaviour.

China operates under a constitution that gives citizens direct representation at the local village level and indirect representation at the higher tiers of elected positions. Elected members of the government need not be members of the CPC.

There is a parliament type organization for the passing of legislation, which is elected every 5 years. As at the last election in 2013 roughly 30% is made up of people who are not members of the CPC. Term limits also applied for the most senior positions of government. China has a constant turnover of people who lead the country then move into retirement.

Government control of the economy via state owned enterprises maintains minor position to private enterprise.

I mean, what is this guy thinking, putting out facts presenting an argument, when he could have just said 'A dictatorship, what a joke'. Kids these days.

@Strangerland

From your link:

Dictatorship is a form of government in which one person or a small group possesses absolute power without effective constitutional limits.

I'd say the key words there are limits and effective. Where do you see the limits within the Chinese constitution and when have they ever been enforced against those at the top of the state? I think you'd struggle to find even one example, which is why I still insist China is a dictatorship.

Here is an excerpt from the Chinese constitution. Do you think political dissidents can effectively take this to the supreme people's court and limit the politbureau's ability to have them summarily jailed?

Article 35: Citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration.

As much as it sounds oxymoronic, let me pose the question, has there ever been a benevolent dictator? A good king?

Its as the word dictator makes people squirm. He may seem to have power, but you must be able to see the power in the background.

Its the same with the lobbyists and corporate interests of democratic countries. Try not to over romanticize one single system of government over another.

Our supreme leader Abe PM said recently that one should be paid by performances, not by hours one worked. Similarly, leaders should be judged by their performances, not by how long they stayed in their positions. If Abe is allowed in a process to be elected in China, as another Abe was 1600 years ago, he will fail to be selected by 1.4 billion people. Why ? Just look how much money he lost in 5 years as a PM of Japan, and how stupid people he educated in 5 years. China not only has 2 times Japan GDP, but also 15 times population and 25 times territory. How could Japan possibly be unfriendly with China ? If Japan sinks, China is the only home willing to host Japanese people.

FM Kono did excellent job than expected. Abe has the instinct to sense wind, he is an opportunist. This time, Abe performed. Abe said what he could, now let Abe do what he should. Abe must tie Japan with China decisively. That is the fate. South Korea already has FTA with China, Japan is behind. If Abe can't get access to the number one world market, the neighbour next door, he is certainly a failed leader. The golden opportunity is there, the golden belt is for you to pick up. If you miss it then you miss it. There is no second chance in this rapid changing world.

M3M3 - I don't deny that China's government is severely lacking, but I just don't buy into the rhetoric that it's a dictatorship. It's an oligarchy.

Using extremist terms doesn't help any of us, nor does it make things better.

Kono is a very modest diplomat, very friendly when he was in Beijing. Sincerely hope he will assist Abe to accomplish the goals that Abe laid out in 2018. Japan and China relationship needs a big boost.

@Strangerland

It's an oligarchy.

Hey Strangerland, sorry I didn't notice your reply. Oligarchy itself doesn't actually describe the method of governance does it? It only describes the structure of the group at the top. I would agree that China is an oligarchical dictatorship. The oligarchy rules by dictate. I don't think dictatorship is necessarily an extremist term. It's only become extreme since people are reluctant to use it when it's appropriate. There are some aspects of western political systems which incorporate dictatorial tools within a larger democratic system. The presidential veto is an example.