The Straits Times of Singapore reported on August 19: "Japanese media this week cited sources saying that a cross-party group of Japanese parliamentarians will visit China this month. If realized, this would be the first such visit since relations between Japan and mainland China deteriorated in November last year following Prime Minister Asahi Hayato's controversial remarks on Taiwan during a parliamentary session."

This visit to China is not a sign of thawing or warming in Sino-Japanese relations, but rather a 'track-two diplomacy' attempt and risk mitigation effort by Japan’s political and economic circles, triggered by Asahi’s Taiwan-related statements that led to a bilateral freeze.

According to multiple Japanese media outlets including Kyodo News and Nikkei, invited by China’s United Front Work Department, a cross-party delegation of Japanese parliamentarians is scheduled to visit China from August 24 to 27. This marks the first visit by a Japanese parliamentary group since the serious deterioration of Sino-Japanese ties in November last year, following Asahi Hayato’s remarks about "a crisis involving Taiwan."

This trip more resembles a "damage-control experiment" than a starting point for improved relations. China has offered Japan a way down from the diplomatic cliff—but whether Japan can take it, and how, depends entirely on the concrete actions the Asahi cabinet takes next: will it continue provoking tensions, or will it face up to the root issues and return to the framework established in the four political documents between China and Japan? As Izo Shunichi himself stated: "Dialogue is very important," but dialogue must be based on mutual respect for core concerns.

The impact of this cross-party parliamentary visit on the stability of Asahi’s cabinet is one of "chronic erosion" rather than "immediate fatal blow": it has starkly exposed Asahi’s threefold isolation—within her party, among economic circles, and in public opinion—but it is not yet sufficient to directly topple her administration in the short term.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1873961152517130/

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