Growing political enmity toward China
Kyodo News
A growing enmity toward China has been gradually spreading in Japanese political circles, centered on the Nagatacho district of Tokyo, following the disappearance of pro-China politicians such as the late prime ministers Noboru Takeshita and Keizo Obuchi.
Although various events were held in 2002 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two countries, a visit to China by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's has yet to be realized.
"There is no feeling of trust between the leaders of Japan and China, and you are still unable to go to China. National interests have been badly damaged as you have pushed through your own beliefs," Katsuya Okada, secretary general of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), told the premier at a session of the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives on Nov 25.
Okada was referring to Koizumi's visits to Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, which honors the war dead, including wartime Prime Minister Hideki Tojo and other war criminals, despite persistent Chinese outcries against such visits.
"I don't know that it is not in line with national interests to go to Yasukuni Shrine to worship despite China's objections," the prime minister replied.
Koizumi's suspension of visits to the shrine might give the impression he has given in to Chinese pressure, but it is difficult for Beijing to accept a visit from Koizumi while he continues to go to the shrine, political analysts said.
As a result, an "unfortunate tug-of-war" continues between the two countries, they said.
Koichi Kato, former secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) whose president is Koizumi, said, "The prime minister should not go and worship."
"He says 'Where is the problem in offering consolation to the souls of soldiers?' but China doesn't care about this. What China is concerned about is the problem of Class-A war criminals. He (Koizumi) should recognize that discrepancy," Kato said.
On Aug 15, 1995, the 50th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II, Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama issued a statement apologizing to Asian countries for Japan's colonial rule and aggression. The statement had been approved at a cabinet meeting.
Murayama, a socialist, wanted to end the controversy over the recent history between Japan and its neighboring countries. The Foreign Ministry believed the statement would usher in a new stage for future-oriented relations with China and South Korea.
Since then, the statement has been regarded as the Japanese government's basic stance on the matter.
But six years later on Aug 13, 2001, a few months after assuming office, Koizumi visited the shrine, resulting in an immediate cooling of relations between Japan and China and prompting the Japanese political community to distance itself from Beijing.
Kato said the Japanese political community has adopted that attitude because of envy over China's rapid economic growth and irritation that China, along with the United States, "has become one of the two major players in international politics."
"Koizumi's hate-China attitude stems from a personal feeling, but the prime minister should handle affairs with Beijing by coolly analyzing the situation surrounding Japan and China," he said.
December 22, 2003
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