Rushing Off to China's 'Love Call' is Not in Japan's Best Interests

Komeito party leader Tetsuo Saito has just led a group of Diet members on a visit to China. They left on April 22 and returned on April 24.

The suprapartisan Parliamentary Association for Friendship between Japan and China, chaired by Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama, is next. It is scheduled to send a delegation to China from April 27 to April 29.

The Japanese lawmakers are expected to exchange views on economic relations, security, and other issues with Chinese Communist Party officials and government dignitaries.

With all the countries there are in the world, we find it odd that China is a particularly frequent destination for so many Diet members.

Resolutely Face China on Bilateral Problems

There are many bilateral issues between Japan and China.

On April 21, Saito said, "I would like to discuss the concerns that the Japanese people have about China."

All lawmakers who visit China should adopt a resolute attitude and communicate Japan's positions on key issues. Likewise, they should openly express the harsh feelings the Japanese people today harbor toward China.

Saito also indicated his intention to raise the issue of establishing an Asian version of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. That is a multilateral security dialogue framework. However, the United States, Australia, and other friendly nations are unlikely to support such a move. After all, getting China to stop its high-handed behavior is more important than creating another formal mechanism for more talking.

What is more, Japan is concerned about the human rights crackdowns China is carrying out in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Tibet, Hong Kong, and other areas.

No Progress on Bilateral Issues, No Xi Visit

Bilaterally, there are numerous issues of concern between Japan and China. Under the current circumstances, a state visit by President Xi Jinping to Japan would be unacceptable. While in China, these lawmakers should refrain from expressing any expectations for such a Xi visit.

No progress has been made on the issue of the multiple Japanese nationals detained by Chinese authorities on opaque charges. Nor have the imports of Japanese seafood resumed, despite promises. China suspended seafood imports because of its opposition to the release of treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the ocean.

In March, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Tokyo, where the two agreed to promote a mutually beneficial strategic relationship. However, the environment for advancing this relationship has not yet been created.

*Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivers opening remarks at the March 22 Japan-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Tokyo. (©Sankei by Takumi Kamoshida)*

In the wake of US President Donald Trump's tough stance regarding China, Beijing has been trying to woo Japan. Chinese leaders also no doubt wish to drive a wedge into the Japan-US alliance.

If, without a second thought, Japanese Diet members flock to China in response to its "love call," it will only serve to delight the CCP regime. No doubt, Beijing is eager to fabricate the appearance of being favorable to "reconciliation."

Xi's Anti-US Coalition-building

President Xi recently visited Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia. His goal was to get other countries dissatisfied with America's tariff policy to join China in a joint struggle against the US.

Rushing off to China once again is not particularly in the national interest. It would be better for Diet members to visit Southeast Asian countries, the US, Europe, Australia, and other friendly nations, and work to strengthen our relations with them.

(Read the editorial in Japanese.)

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun