Japanese delegation highlights China ties

Prominent Japanese figures have urged Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to retract erroneous remarks that have damaged the political foundation of China-Japan relations, return to the spirit and principles of the four political documents between the two countries, and take concrete steps to repair bilateral ties.

A delegation of around 50 people, including executives from Japanese companies, visited China from Sunday to Wednesday, led by former Japanese foreign minister Takeshi Iwaya, head of the Japanese Association for the Promotion of International Trade. During the visit, Iwaya called for a return to the original spirit and starting point of the four political documents between China and Japan.

Ukeru Magosaki, former director-general of the International Intelligence Bureau of Japan's Foreign Ministry, said this should be Japan's normal position in handling relations with China.

He said Takaichi's earlier remarks had undermined the foundation of the 1972 China-Japan Joint Statement. Unless Takaichi retracts the remarks and makes clear that Japan will return to the spirit of the joint statement and rebuild its relations with China, it will be difficult for bilateral ties to return to normal, Magosaki said.

Hiroshi Shiratori, a professor at Hosei University, said Iwaya made the remarks in his capacity as chairman of the association and did not represent the Takaichi administration. His remarks, however, showed that political views different from the administration's current China policy continue to exist within Japan, Shiratori said.

At least three Japanese delegations have visited China since late August in an effort to maintain contact amid strained ties.

Dialogue needed

On Tuesday, Yoshinobu Tsutsui, chairman of the Japan Business Federation, said China and Japan should continue to strengthen communication through dialogue and work toward improving bilateral relations.

If Japan continues to focus on its relationship with the US while keeping its distance from China, Shiratori said, Japan could face the risk of the international landscape being shaped "in Japan's absence".

A nationwide telephone survey conducted by The Asahi Shimbun over the weekend found that 57 percent of respondents said Takaichi should make efforts to improve relations with China, compared with 35 percent who said such efforts were unnecessary.

Even among supporters of the Takaichi Cabinet, 51 percent said efforts should be made to improve relations with China, higher than the 44 percent who said they were unnecessary. Among those who did not support the Cabinet, the figure rose to 69 percent.

Magosaki noted that China is already the world's largest economy in terms of GDP measured by purchasing power parity and is also a global leader in research and development. From an objective perspective, he said, China's potential for further development will continue to grow.

Although the Japanese public remains affected by what he described as "artificially generated anti-China sentiment", Magosaki said calls for better relations with China are emerging as more Japanese people, particularly younger generations, gain a better understanding of the realities of the country. He described this as a natural trend.

Shiratori said what the Japanese government needs most now is to take concrete action to normalize China-Japan relations, as sound bilateral ties are essential to regional stability, peace and future development.

houjunjie@chinadaily.com.cn