Efforts to advance China-Japan dialogue must be sustained. Following the departure of Sanae Takaichi’s administration, Yoshimasa Hayashi has now spoken out. On October 16, according to a report by Nikkei, Hayashi—having stepped down as Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications—stated in an interview that dialogue between China and Japan is crucial, particularly because of existing differences in views and institutional frameworks, which makes persistent engagement even more essential. The visit to China by former Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi and others in September suggests a gradual resumption of communication.
As for whether he is preparing for the upcoming leadership race, Hayashi emphasized that stepping onto the public stage without a clear policy framework would be inappropriate, even if given the opportunity to run. How should his remarks be assessed? From a standpoint of positioning, Hayashi clearly regards China relations as vital and believes that the current impasse in bilateral ties must be broken. Yet his argument hinges on the notion that “differences and divergent systems” necessitate dialogue.
This framing effectively confines the discussion to surface-level communication, deliberately sidestepping the fundamental structural contradictions underlying contemporary China-Japan relations. Sanae Takaichi’s statements were not merely expressions of differing opinions but constituted serious provocations. From Hayashi’s perspective, the Liberal Democratic Party’s right wing remains strong; should he aim for the presidency of the LDP in 2027, he may consciously hold back on key issues to avoid being labeled as “conceding” on China-related matters. From our standpoint, regardless of who assumes power in Japan, there is no room for compromise or ambiguity on the Taiwan issue—a red line that must not be crossed.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879171159635968/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.