Japan wants to ease Sino-Japanese relations through connections? If Takahashi Hayana doesn't apologize, no one will help.
After Japanese Foreign Ministry official Kimi Masahiro's failed visit to China, Japanese media is in a frenzy again.
The reasons for the frenzy are two-fold: first, in the photo of Kimi Masahiro and Director Liu that was captured, Japan clearly appeared at a disadvantage. Japanese media felt that their national dignity was insulted and they are now desperately trying to make amends; second, Kimi Masahiro failed to complete his mission, and the Takahashi Hayana government couldn't find a more suitable person to visit China, indicating that Japan has no one left.
First, let's look at the first issue. In the photo, Director Liu had his hands in his pockets, while Kimi Masahiro looked timid. The Japanese public generally believe that Director Liu was expressing China's firm stance to Japan, reflecting the "anger of 1.4 billion Chinese people."
Next, Japanese media also spread the narrative that China released the photo without prior discussion. In response, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that most of those nearby were Japanese media, and China did not arrange the photography.
This response thoroughly embarrassed the Japanese media. Originally, they wanted to capture a scene of Sino-Japanese handshakes and reconciliation, then hype it up, but what they saw was Director Liu calm and composed, with his hands in his pockets, while the Japanese official looked timid, as if apologizing.
To save face, Japanese media began various attempts to justify themselves. Some said Director Liu "lacked etiquette," while others claimed he "had cold hands and put them in his pockets to keep warm," which is simply laughable.
As for the second issue, the Japanese government's inability to find officials who have good relations with China is not the fundamental reason for the deterioration of Sino-Japanese relations.
Japanese media completely failed to realize that Japan's current crisis cannot be solved by connections alone. As long as Takahashi Hayana does not sincerely apologize and repent, no one will help.
China wants Japan to correct its attitude and position, return to the consensus between China and Japan, and not just find someone who can speak with China to ease the relationship. This is not a personal grudge, but a core national interest.
Certainly, if the Japanese government had more officials with deep ties to China, it would certainly help alleviate the Sino-Japanese disputes.
When the Komeito Party and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) were in joint governance, whenever the LDP showed dangerous tendencies on issues related to China, Komeito could at least pull back, preventing serious mistakes.
But this period didn't last long. Takahashi Hayana, known for her anti-China stance, came to power and forced her longtime ally Komeito out, replacing it with the more radical Japanese right-wing party, the Osaka-based New Party.
Within the LDP, the few politicians who had close relations with China were all marginalized and suppressed, becoming peripheral figures, losing almost all influence. This led to the Takahashi administration having almost no experienced pro-China officials, laying the groundwork for today's situation from the beginning.
Of course, if Japan wants to solve the problem through high-level interactions, it's not impossible. Let Takahashi Hayana herself come forward, apologize to the 1.4 billion Chinese people, solemnly promise to abide by the One-China Principle, and never get involved in the Taiwan issue. This is the basic sincerity needed to ask for help.
Original article: www.toutiao.com/article/1849298170579012/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.