By Tomomi Abe
Recently, the relationship between Japan and China could not be much worse. It has been over 30 years since Japan and China normalized their diplomatic relationship, but now both should reconsider the meaning of normalization.
In China, the participants of a recent anti-Japan demonstration destroyed part of the Japanese Embassy as well as several Japanese restaurants. These incidents accelerated the deterioration of a delicate, yet amicable relationship shared by Japan and China. Over one thousand policemen were sent to guard the embassy, but they never moved against the crowd. Of course Japan's government sought an apology from China's government because they failed to respond. However, China responded by asking Japan to apologize for past war crimes. The problem is a difference of historical perception between Japan and China.
First, China has demanded that Japanese history textbooks be amended. China has pointed out that Japanese history textbooks do not describe Japan's unjust and cruel conduct during World War II. To compound the problem, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has been making annual visits to Yasukuni Shrine; an action the Chinese find highly offensive. The disputed point is that Yasukuni Shrine enshrines some class-A war criminals. China wonders why Japan enshrines people who have been labeled as leaders of an aggressive policy by the Tokyo Tribunal of War Crimes.
Koizumi has defended his visits to Yasukuni Shrine by saying the right to pay homage in one's own country is a domestic issue and not something for the international community to meddle with. He then announced that he would continue to visit Yasukuni Shrine.
After his remarks, the condition worsened markedly. In May, China's Vice Premier Wu Yi suddenly canceled a planned meeting with Koizumi and immediately boarded a plane for Beijing. A Chinese government spokesperson initially said the reason for Wu Yi's sudden return was due to an emergency at home, but the next day the Chinese government confirmed that the real cause of Wu Yi's sudden cancellation of the meeting was directly linked to anger over Koizumi's continued visits to Yasukuni. The Japanese cabinet expressed anger over this breach of diplomatic etiquette, and said it was against international protocol to break off a meeting with the leader of a country without an apology. China should have realized that the relationship between Japan and China is fragile and that to maintain an amicable relationship, it is important to express any displeasure in a diplomatic manner.
Furthermore, from Japan's side, if the Japanese government continues to act in anger, the friendship will get worse and worse. At the time of the crisis Koizumi reacted calmly and said, "I think we should meet with Chinese officials as soon as possible. If we have a meeting, China will know our intentions." The Japanese cabinet decided to reevaluate its position regarding China after considering Koizumi's remark, so the anger has receded somewhat. The two countries have expressed a willingness to mend their delicate relationship and now they must find a way to improve bilateral ties.
The first outstanding issue is in regards to Japan's history textbooks. History textbooks in Japan, China and Korea are made together by private historians from each of these three countries. Japan started selling the newest edition of its history textbook in June of this year. This textbook was made after about fifty historians from the three countries met with each other more than ten times. However, does the content, edited by only so-called experts, meet with international understanding and approval? This is a question which needs to be addressed very quickly. Furthermore, it is important for other members of Japanese society to determine the validity of the textbooks' contents. In other words, we should not rely solely on the opinions of historians and politicians.
The second issue is about Yasukuni Shrine. Japan is expected to reveal a precept aimed at appeasing people at home and those in other countries. For example, there have been talks of creating a divided enshrinement for class-A war criminals or of creating a new shrine in a different location. Unfortunately, some Japanese government officials have remarked that some class-A criminals did not commit a crime during WWII. Inappropriate comments like this make it harder for China to understand Japan. The Japanese government must act quickly and decisively and establish a policy which addresses the issue in a way that does not offend China or other Asian nations.
As long as Japan keeps on taking a vague stance on various issues like the amendment of Japanese history textbooks and visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, the fierce dispute between Japan and China will continue. It is important that the Japanese public get involved in the issues and voice opinions. These opinions must be understood domestically and globally and be a reflection of the entire nation, not just the opinion of a few government officials and the Prime Minister. He is, after all, the voice of the Japanese people. It is therefore up to each citizen to square their shoulders and act as a member of the international community. For now, Japan is in a showdown with China, and the entire world is watching.