What Does Japanese PM Koizumi Intend?

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, August 25, 2002

What Does Japanese PM Koizumi Intend?

In order to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the normalization of Sino-Japan diplomatic relations, both sides are preparing various activities, and exchange of visits has been made by people from various social circles of both countries. In the series of activities, the question regarding Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to China is arousing common concern of both countries.

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Different Sayings about the Visit

According to Japanese reports, Koizumi intended to postpone his visit originally scheduled for this fall.

Some other reports said that Liberal Democratic Party Policy Affairs Research Council chairman Taku Yamazaki will pay a visit to China during September 18-23 for participating in the 30th anniversary activities. Koizumi intentionally made Taku Yamazaki his representative, asking him to take his message to Chinese leaders and convey his stance on the importance he attaches to Japan-China relations.

Japanese media said that Koizumi met with Yasuhiro Nakasone, Kiichi Miyazaki and Yoshiro Mori in a restaurant on the evening of August 8, they exchanged views on Japan's internal and external policies.

When talking about his upcoming visit to China, Koizumi said that "the question concerning his China visit should not be raised by himself ", this implies that there must be a formal invitation, the premise of his visit lies in the Yasukuni Shrine problem.

In order to confirm the matter, reporters made a phone call to Japanese Foreign Ministry. Related personnel answered that Koizumi did not say he would give up or put off his visit to China, the matter remains to be discussed by relevant departments of the two sides.

No Reason for Postponing the Visit

It is worth noticing that Japanese media put Koizumi's visit to China together with homage paid to the Yasukuni Shrine.

Japanese sources said that Koizumi does intend to put off his China visit to an "appropriate time", his intention is closely related with his previous two visits to the Shrine which have aroused protest from the people of China, S. Korea and some other countries and have evoked opposition from the Japanese public.

Some media said that Koizumi's postponement of his China visit aims to contain China by taking advantage of the Shrine issue.

Koizumi once said to those around him: "It is really hard for me to say not to visit the Yasukuni Shrine". If this is true, it indicates that Koizumi can hardly promise not to visit the Shrine.

A source in Tokyo said that if Koizumi insists on the shrine visit, but is unwilling to make clear explanation and promise regarding these, and even take the demand of the people of victim countries for explanations on his Shrine visit as a condition deciding whether his China visit can be made, this means to say there is a great discount to the self-examination and apology previously made by the Japanese government for the aggressive war, this would bring history back to its starting-point, thus worsening Japan's relations with neighboring countries. Observer said it is unreasonable for the Japanese leader to put off his China visit on the occasion of the 30th of the normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations. Koizumi intentional postponement of his China visit in such an important year will be a major unwise decision in Japan's diplomacy and will exert an adverse effect on Sino-Japan ties.

Take History as a Mirror, Look Forward to the Future

In Japan, those who try hard to reverse the verdict on the Japanese aggressive war always regard Asian people's opposition to Japanese Prime Minister's Shrine visit as "interference in Japan's internal affairs".

But as the people of the victim countries, they have the right to question Japanese leaders why they always go to visit the Shrine to worship class-A war criminals.

Some Japanese, in order to shift the contradiction, even insist that China is against all Japanese people's visit to the Shrine. But the Chinese people know the need to differentiate not only militarists from the Japanese people, but also war criminals from ordinary soldiers driven to the battlefield.

The Chinese people have never made objection to ordinary Japanese offering sacrifices to their dear ones died in the war.

China has repeatedly indicated that China and Japan should, in the spirit of "taking history as a mirror and looking forward to the future", properly handle problems existing between them. China has also indicated on many occasions that on the question of the Yasukuni Shrine, it is hoped matters hurting the feeling of the Chinese people would not reoccur. People want to know whether Koizumi would put off his China visit due to the question of Shrine visit he has paid twice in less than one year since he became Japanese Prime Minister.

Sources here say that although there are guesses and reports on whether Koizumi would visit China, it is believed that the Japanese government would make a correct decision to lay a sound foundation for Sino-Japanese cooperative relations in the new century.

By PD Online Staff Li Yan

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