April 13, 2005
Machimuri to Visit Beijing
From a MOFA press release:
April 12, 2005
This will certainly up the ante on the cost side of the Chinese government's cost-benefit analysis described in the previous post.
Mr. Nobutaka Machimura, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to visit China
April 12, 2005
- Mr. Nobutaka Machimura, Minister for Foreign Affairs, will visit China (Beijing) on April 17 (Sun) and 18 (Mon) subject to Cabinet approval.
- During his stay in China, Mr. Machimura will have Japan-China foreign ministerial talks with Mr. Li Zhaoxing, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to exchange views on such matters as Japan-China relations in general, the North Korean situation, and other issues facing the international community.
(END)
This will certainly up the ante on the cost side of the Chinese government's cost-benefit analysis described in the previous post.
# posted by Saru : 1:40 PM
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You're dead-on about the problem China faces with allowing popular protests against Japan. But the way I see it is that it's using them as a political tool to gain concessions from Japan as it attempts to get a UNSC seat. That's why, in my opinion, the Chinese Foreign Minister didn't condemn the protests despite the rude behavior of the protesters. Why condemn something you nurtured from the beginning? It would be like throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
Japan is in the most vulnerable position in a long time (since Occupation?) in foreign affairs because UNSC membership is so important to it. China seems to want a war apology, textbook revision (tighter control?), and other substantial concessions from Japan before it will back its membership, though it could simply be that China will end up opposing Japan no matter what. One possible face-saving solution (that may already be in the works but if not I highly recommend Japan try it) is to apologize *together* with Germany. But anyway, Japan needs the support of something like 90 countries, so China (the most powerful potential opponent) won't be the last to approach Japan with its hand out.
As for whether the protest will be allowed take place, we'll see this weekend, won't we? My bets are that it will (maybe a reversal of what I said before but now that I think about it why not).
Japan is in the most vulnerable position in a long time (since Occupation?) in foreign affairs because UNSC membership is so important to it. China seems to want a war apology, textbook revision (tighter control?), and other substantial concessions from Japan before it will back its membership, though it could simply be that China will end up opposing Japan no matter what. One possible face-saving solution (that may already be in the works but if not I highly recommend Japan try it) is to apologize *together* with Germany. But anyway, Japan needs the support of something like 90 countries, so China (the most powerful potential opponent) won't be the last to approach Japan with its hand out.
As for whether the protest will be allowed take place, we'll see this weekend, won't we? My bets are that it will (maybe a reversal of what I said before but now that I think about it why not).
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/15/international/asia/15china.html?ei=5094&en=b4fbd8e7f37c73ad&hp=&ex=1113624000&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print&position=
No surprises here, but this just shows you how much these "protests" are a political tool.
No surprises here, but this just shows you how much these "protests" are a political tool.
Here's the story from the Washington Times of all places:
http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20050414-104144-9040r.htm
The key quote:
"Several respondents mentioned Germany's role in dealing with its past as an opportunity for Japan to heal wounds and deal with the future.
The best answer came from a European envoy who told UPI, "Germany holds a knife that can cut the Gordian Knot."
"The Germans have had big influence on Japan's development going back to the early days of the country's military, industrial, and institution building along Western patterns," the envoy said.
"The last lesson Germany can show Japan is how to apologize," the diplomat added.
The foreign representative noted: "Don't forget Asians and Westerners measure time in different ways; we look at anniversaries in terms of five and ten years' time passing- China gave neighboring countries a 60-year calendar which runs full circle this year."
"Picture this scenario," the diplomat said. "Germany and Japan together express remorse and apologize for the wrongs they did first in May (when Nazi Germany capitulated) then August (when Imperial Japan surrendered)."
The diplomat believes "joint apologies in Europe and Asia allow the Japanese an initial face saving measure and formula that could enable Japan to apologize on its own in the future."
Perhaps. UPI notes that Sino-Japanese relations are at a critical impasse, with both sides entrenched and unable to break a destructive cycle of mutual bitter feelings that could destabilize the region unless something is done immediately."
What do you think?
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http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20050414-104144-9040r.htm
The key quote:
"Several respondents mentioned Germany's role in dealing with its past as an opportunity for Japan to heal wounds and deal with the future.
The best answer came from a European envoy who told UPI, "Germany holds a knife that can cut the Gordian Knot."
"The Germans have had big influence on Japan's development going back to the early days of the country's military, industrial, and institution building along Western patterns," the envoy said.
"The last lesson Germany can show Japan is how to apologize," the diplomat added.
The foreign representative noted: "Don't forget Asians and Westerners measure time in different ways; we look at anniversaries in terms of five and ten years' time passing- China gave neighboring countries a 60-year calendar which runs full circle this year."
"Picture this scenario," the diplomat said. "Germany and Japan together express remorse and apologize for the wrongs they did first in May (when Nazi Germany capitulated) then August (when Imperial Japan surrendered)."
The diplomat believes "joint apologies in Europe and Asia allow the Japanese an initial face saving measure and formula that could enable Japan to apologize on its own in the future."
Perhaps. UPI notes that Sino-Japanese relations are at a critical impasse, with both sides entrenched and unable to break a destructive cycle of mutual bitter feelings that could destabilize the region unless something is done immediately."
What do you think?
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