JAPAN-CHINA: Aiming For More Cozy Relations

By Suvendrini Kakuchi Reprint | | Print |

Suvendrini Kakuchi

TOKYO, Nov 19 1998 (IPS) - Thorny historical relations and a worsening Asian economic crisis are two issues expected to shadow President Jiang Zemin during his visit to Tokyo next week, the first state visit by a Chinese president to Japan.

Beijing wants Tokyo to issue a statement that would include an expression of remorse over the latter’s aggression in Asia during the Second World War, as well as its position on Taiwan during Jiang’s visit, Nov 25 to the 30.

Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, in a meeting in Kuala Lumpur with his Japanese counterpart Masahiko Komura, said that China places the “highest importance on the two nations looking into the future after squarely facing history”.

Not mincing words, Beijing has made it clear that during the visit, it wants an official apology from Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi expressing remorse for the pain inflicted on the Chinese during the 1937-1945 war in China.

Japan is also under pressure to state its commitment to a policy where Japan will not support Taiwanese independence or a “two Chinas” or “one Taiwan, one China” policy.

Komura did not explicitly say that Tokyo would yield to Beijing’s demands, but he told Tang he expects the visit “will create a good statement”.

Jiang and Obuchi are expected to issue a joint declaration to define bilateral relations in the 21st century.

Analysts point out that 20 years after Japan and China normalized relations, bilateral ties still tend to be dogged with mistrust and ambiguity.

Japan’s economic aid in the form of loans and private investment, has played a crucial role in China’s economic development. But forging closer ties have come under strain as a result of what China describes as Japan’s refusal to take responsbility for its wartime past.

Japan earned bitter criticism with the release earlier this year of a movie about Gen Hideki Tojo, a wartime leader who was executed as a criminal by Allied powers 50 years ago.

The movie, which portrayed Tojo as a martyr, has been condemned by South and North Korea and China as an attempt to whitewash Japan’s aggression in Asia.

After years of leaning on the United States for its post-war foreign policy, Japan wants an improved relationship with China, which officials say is one of its main goals for the future.

But Japanese media reports indicate the upcoming visit is proving a difficult diplomatic encounter for Tokyo.

While the framework for the apology is settled, there are still issues to be resolved, wrote Asahi Shinbun in early November, referring to resistance in Japan over China’s demand for another public overture.

While the government is keen to issue an apology as a gesture of goodwill towards developing Sino-Japanese relations, there are many influential politicians who point out that there has already been a precedent when in 1995 then prime minister Tomiichi Murayama expressed Japan’s remorse in Beijing.

Japan is also dragging its feet on Taiwan. Officials say Japan is likely confirm the 1972 joint statement which said it respects Beijing’s position that Taiwan is an integral part of China. But as the Asahi Shinbun says, Japan is reluctant to put it down in writing because the U.S. has not done so.

China has expressed reservations over the new US-Japan security arrangements announced this year where Japan promised to provide support to the U.S. in dealing with regional security threats.

Japan is aware of the need to placate China on this issue and has sent several missions to Beijing to explain the joint development of theater missile defense system with the US, which is a particularly prickly with Beijing.

Tomo Marukawa, an analyst on China at the Institute of Developing Economies, says China’s demands has put Japan in a difficult position, a situation that is threatening to dampen any excitement over the much awaited visit.

“Japan’s economic recession has made its bargaining position weak. In comparison China is basking in the international limelight for not letting the Asian crisis affect its economy,” he explains.

Indeed China’s commitment not to devalue the yuan has earned it high marks in the international community. Economist Kenichi Imai says the Chinese have come out even stronger because it now looks as if Beijing will keep its commitment into the coming year.

A recovery in Japan is considered crucial to pull Southeast Asia out of its economic slowdown but Tokyo has yet to show signs in this direction.

Imai says on the economic front Japanese companies will be looking more to investinng in China than Southeast Asia in the next year as a result of China’s economic strength.

“This is another reason why the upcoming visit is very important for Japan,” he explains.

Jiang, who will be accompanied by his wife, Wang Yeping and several senior Chinese officials, will meet with the Emperor and hold talks with Obuchi.