Comments on: Can China-Japan relations return to ‘normal’?

By: SheilaKW

SheilaKW — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 10:05:51 +0000

I think China-Japan relations has to return to “normal” state, considering the strong economic connection between the two. As said in the article, the growth of Japanese and Chinese economy has mutually a lot to do with the growth of the other country’s economy. For the sustained prosperity, it would be a wise move for both Abe’s administration and Beijing to put aside political problems and just focus on deepening economic exchanges. Although I know that this is equivalent to a procrastination of solving the long-standing political issues such as Senkaku island or SCS issues, I believe there is no such thing as a silver bullet in the field of international relations. What needed for both administrations is to take time to build a relationship which is decent enough to maintain the active economic exchanges between the two. To answer the question, yes, Japan and China may be able to get back to the normal state but my sense is that that won’t happen anytime soon.

By: Akinori Asano

Akinori Asano — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 03:36:54 +0000

I also think that the relation between Japan and China would not be normal easily. There are economic cooperation and confrontation, and opposition in foreign policy such as Senkaku. However, it seems that the both country can compromise partly when both countries demands are filled up.

By: Keita Ishizuka

Keita Ishizuka — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 05:18:08 +0000

China’s intention to get along with Japan is that China is eager to create safety net for China-US relation in my idea.

Like recently, if relation among East-Asia including China, Japan and Korea Peninsula is stable, peace in East-Asia is maintained. Thus there is no excuse for US to intervene with them unless US decide to attack directly on China. In fact, China welcomes Japan and Korea Peninsula to participate in BRI since China considers economic prosperity leads East-Asia to stable status.

However, if the relation among three states are going bad, it can be the excuse that US aim the target to China. In this way, for China stabilizing Sino-Japan relation means restraint for US not to intervene with East Asia.

Viewing this fact from Japan’s government, the key will be the national for Japan. To maintain both regional peace and the tie with US. Japan should face with the difficult dilemma between China and US. The government is required to show the priority, which decision base is the definition of national profit.

By: Bigmouth007

Bigmouth007 — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 16:55:08 +0000

The status and direction of Sino-Japanese relations is in part due to the stable longevity of the terms of both nations’ leaders, Shinzo Abe, who has been Japan’s Prime Minister since December 2012 and will be probably until 2021, and Xi Jinping, who has been China’s president since 2013 and has recently abolished term limits. Because their positions are relatively stable, these two leaders can afford to confidently commit to change for their national interests.

Then there is idealism vs reality. Japan wants to remain aligned with the US and stand separate from China as a sovereign power; meanwhile, China wishes to be the paramount power both in East Asia and worldwide above not just Japan but also the US. However, Donald Trump and his unexpected moves on the foreign stage have reshuffled regional and respective national priorities in order to survive trade wars and prepare to stand alone. Thus, China and Japan have made efforts to look past previous squabbles and look towards a more positive relationship.

I predict because of Trump weakening after the midterm elections, however, that previous conventions might start to return, thus negating any long-term positive benefits from better Japan-China relations. However, this all depends on how Trump’s weakened political position would affect East Asian foreign policy, how weakened Trump would be, how North Korean affairs would change or not change, and whether leadership stability for China and Japan could soften the potential of big changes in East Asian international affairs.

By: Ksenia B

Ksenia B — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 07:34:44 +0000

Considering the history of China and Japan and their alternation of undermining one another, turning their relationship back to “normal” is a funny statement in itself, historically speaking, but I think it is possible and also favourable for both countries to get their relationship to a smooth, tensionless and economically stable one.
It will take a lot of work and there will never be the level of trust as in countries like France and Germany for example, but it should be manageable.
I also think that lowering tensions and becoming “friends” with Japan, China might try to drive a wedge between the US and Japan is a very interesting thought, we will see how it plays out in the future.

By: SH

SH — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 06:56:02 +0000

Although it seems that Japan and China are beginning to somewhat warm up to each other, it also seems to very much just be a facade. These warming up actions are driven by each of these countries own desires, as the US-China relations are worsening, China doesn’t want to have to worry about it’s other relations with the other Asian countries pitting against them. Japan seems to be willing to open up to China’s call as they will be benefiting from working with China for trilateral free trade for example. Because of pressures from the United States, China is trying to consolidate their position and maintain better relations with it’s neighbors, which for the Asia- Pacific region is a good thing. I think because of the pressures from the United States, it may make China stronger but of course it depends on the relationships that the region really has. The relationship between China and Japan are quite fragile. Although they are trying to work together, there’s so much history and animosity between the two that it will be difficult to see true peace and improvements between the two of them. Seeing that Japan is willing to put aside the East China Sea disputes right now, it could mean that there is a silver lining up ahead, even if the relationship between the two is fragile. It means that there may be hope for the “normal relations”.

By: Hanh

Hanh — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 11:41:19 +0000

I agree with the conclusion that Japan-China relations are less likely to return to normal state, since China considers the Senkaku Islands as their core interest and they wouldn’t abadon it, unless they want to face a nationalistic backlash at home. I think Japan is also aware of this. Japan wants to improve relations with China, but it will be prepared for another cycle of bad relations with China.

By: Lucas W

Lucas W — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:06:18 +0000

What I am left wondering after reading this article is, is it really that easy for China to “put out political fires in its neighborhood”? In the past century, relations between China and Japan have been strained to say the least. Even if the Chinese and Japanese governments realize the benefits of improved relations, I believe it will take a long time to convince the populous. While it’s true that the government can achieve a fair amount with out the full support of it’s people, I believe that if relations between China and Japan were to truly improve it would have start with the common people.
There has been a century of harsh rhetoric on both sides, and this is what several generations have grown up hearing and believing. The rhetoric must change soon to start shifting public opinion in favor of improved relations. While high level talks between the two government may be a good start, I don’t think enough real benefits will come from them unless there is a long-term change in the rhetoric and public opinion.

By: Loc Nguyen

Loc Nguyen — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 00:51:54 +0000

I think the relations between Japan and China will remain tense because Japan is a part of USA coalition aiming to constrain China. At the moment, USA is attacking China in terms of economics, while Japan is expanding its support for Southeast states, which have overlapping territorial claims with China. Thus, it is unlikely to both states to normalize its relations.

By: Hasumi Tani

Hasumi Tani — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 06:44:34 +0000

I think it’s clear that Trump and Xi are encountering both political and economic turmoils from since Trump’s presidency. During the midst of worsening Sino-US relations, it is interesting seeing China reconsolidating the relationship with its East Asian counterparts. Although not directly aimed at the expansion in East Asia, China’s intention with BRI is quite clear, it wants to expand its economic and regional influence in the Eastern hemisphere of the globe. Including this, in recent years, the increasing dynamism in East Asia resulting from integration and cooperation among the countries has become visible and multidimensional. And this inclination is no coincidence.

Japan understands that even if US-Japan political ties are crucial to its political standing, it heavily relies on its relationship with China in the economic factor. I think both parties (China and Japan) understand that although there are historical and territorial disagreements, they should focus on the mutual (economic) benefits. In terms of its recent “coalition” with its east asian counterparts, I do believe it has something to do with fighting against U.S. recent coercive measure in the region.

A simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ cannot answer the question “Can China and Japan return to normal”. Can it ever? I think yes, from a very long-term perspective this is possible, but in the short term, considering it’s path dependency, it will be difficult.