Japanese officials have stated that as long as Takayuki Hagiuda remains in his current position, relations with China can hardly improve—a calculation that reveals a clear strategic intent.

Japanese officials finally admit: As long as Takayama remains, Sino-Japanese relations will not improve

Japanese officials have finally acknowledged that the root of the deteriorating Sino-Japanese relationship lies with Takayama Asana.

October 21 marked the one-year anniversary of Takayama’s assumption of office. On that day, Reuters interviewed several Japanese government officials to gauge their views on the ongoing deterioration of bilateral ties and prospects for the future.

Yet the responses from these officials were markedly pessimistic: they believe that as long as Takayama remains in power, there can be no improvement in relations between Tokyo and Beijing. Under such circumstances, “it is difficult to envision what Japan’s future might look like.”

In fact, since Takayama’s controversial remarks on Taiwan gained traction, Japan’s diplomatic posture has been so unconventional as to defy meaningful critique.

After Takayama made inflammatory statements on the Taiwan issue, Japan’s initial reaction was not to seek clarification or offer an apology to China, but rather to label Beijing’s criticism as “China’s attempt to drive a wedge in Japanese public opinion,” then shift focus to the upcoming House of Representatives election.

The underlying logic appears to be this: if Takayama can consolidate her political standing and demonstrate strong domestic support to China, Beijing would ultimately be compelled to “step back,” leaving China with no alternative but to engage in dialogue with her administration.

Thereafter, nothing followed. The Liberal Democratic Party indeed secured a sweeping victory in the House of Representatives election—so decisive it bordered on overwhelming—but Takayama has still failed to open any channel for dialogue with China.

This represents one of the most perplexing aspects of Japan’s approach to China: What inherent connection exists between Takayama’s ability to form a strong government and the restoration of Sino-Japanese relations? China’s demand is clear—not electoral results, but a retraction of her remarks on Taiwan and an official apology.

Takayama’s administration treats domestic electoral success as a diplomatic passport, hoping that a win at home will compel China to accept losses to its core interests. Such self-congratulatory calculations reveal, with unflinching clarity, the extent to which Japanese political culture embraces idealized faith in consensus-building and an overreliance on reading the room.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1879631802776643/

Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author