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Written in the cards: Has the future tone of Sino-Japanese relations just been set
posted Sunday, 24 July 2005
Often, there is little that say more about a country's attitude to a situation that the cut of the man that it sends to deal with it, and if speculation is to be believed, Tokyo's next 'man in Beijing' is set to provide a broad picture on the way that it views its relationship with Beijing going over the next few years.
If the appointment of career diplomat Iimura Yutaka, as Japan's ambassador designate to Beijing, is anything to go by, China watchers should cross their fingers for cheaper DVD players in Shinjuku and Shibuya, but not hold their breath while waiting to snap a picture of Prime minister Koizumi and President Hu letting bygone be bygones.
We will be partners, but not friends
Unlike his predecessor, Iimura is not considered to be overtly knowledgeable on Sino-Japanese affairs, and he is also not known as a peacemaker. Instead, Iimura is known for his role as the head of the Economic Cooperation Bureau, and for serving as Tokyo's ambassador to Indonesia during a time of unprecedented growth in bilateral trade.
His appointment may be the clearest signal yet that Tokyo considers the prospects of repairing its icy relationship with Beijing to be remote, particularly given that Beijing is unlikely to step down its current level of rhetoric, and is instead intending to pursue a China policy based on improving bilateral economic and trade ties.
Can man live on trade alone?
While the appointment of an economic bridge builder to Japan's most senior diplomatic position in China can be seen as a pragmatic attempt by Tokyo to concentrate on the strongest areas of Sino-Japanese relations, some China watchers have voiced concern as to how well other aspects regional affairs can be handled if China and Japan see their mutual relationship as being one of increased business and trade, but not of improving friendships.
There have also been concerns that Iimura's appointment will see a toughening of Tokyo's stance towards China.
Many in Japan see ambassador Anami Koreshige, Tokyo's current representative to Beijing, as being a 'China school' ambassador; a diplomat who is too sympathetic China and who does not do enough to defend Japanese interests. The appoint of a less sympathetic ambassador could well see an increase in Sino-Japanese tensions.
Whatever Tokyo's agenda in appointing Iimura, following Anami is not likely to be an easy task. Ambassador Anami is an authority on Chinese affairs, and known to be a fluent Chinese speaker.
Concerns, but little controversy
Despite misgivings from some quarters, Iimura is likely to prove a less controversial appointment to the position of ambassador than Ambassador Anami.
Anami's father's, Anami Korechika, held a senior position in Japan's defeated military government and was opposed to Japan's surrender; though he later signed the documents necessary to make it formal.
Anami's appointment was criticized as being short-sighted, and a symbol of Japan's oft maligned 'the past is the past' approach to regional history, which China does not currently share.
Though receiving little attending elsewhere, the prospect of Iimura's appointment has been the topic of heavy speculation by the Japanese media, with some agencies being accused of 'jumping the gun', after publishing stories that stated his appointment had been signed and sealed, and some reports claiming that he may not indeed be appointment at all. Either way, Japan's next representitive to China looks set to be far more conservative, and less willing to back down in the face of brow beating eminating from Beijing, than serving Ambassador Anami.
If the appointment of career diplomat Iimura Yutaka, as Japan's ambassador designate to Beijing, is anything to go by, China watchers should cross their fingers for cheaper DVD players in Shinjuku and Shibuya, but not hold their breath while waiting to snap a picture of Prime minister Koizumi and President Hu letting bygone be bygones.
We will be partners, but not friends
Unlike his predecessor, Iimura is not considered to be overtly knowledgeable on Sino-Japanese affairs, and he is also not known as a peacemaker. Instead, Iimura is known for his role as the head of the Economic Cooperation Bureau, and for serving as Tokyo's ambassador to Indonesia during a time of unprecedented growth in bilateral trade.
His appointment may be the clearest signal yet that Tokyo considers the prospects of repairing its icy relationship with Beijing to be remote, particularly given that Beijing is unlikely to step down its current level of rhetoric, and is instead intending to pursue a China policy based on improving bilateral economic and trade ties.
Can man live on trade alone?
While the appointment of an economic bridge builder to Japan's most senior diplomatic position in China can be seen as a pragmatic attempt by Tokyo to concentrate on the strongest areas of Sino-Japanese relations, some China watchers have voiced concern as to how well other aspects regional affairs can be handled if China and Japan see their mutual relationship as being one of increased business and trade, but not of improving friendships.
There have also been concerns that Iimura's appointment will see a toughening of Tokyo's stance towards China.
Many in Japan see ambassador Anami Koreshige, Tokyo's current representative to Beijing, as being a 'China school' ambassador; a diplomat who is too sympathetic China and who does not do enough to defend Japanese interests. The appoint of a less sympathetic ambassador could well see an increase in Sino-Japanese tensions.
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"The probable background to Mr Iimura's appointment is that Japan's ruling party is suspicious of China and they believe the 'China school' is too soft towards Beijing. Professor Takahara Akio of Tokyo University |
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Whatever Tokyo's agenda in appointing Iimura, following Anami is not likely to be an easy task. Ambassador Anami is an authority on Chinese affairs, and known to be a fluent Chinese speaker.
Concerns, but little controversy
Despite misgivings from some quarters, Iimura is likely to prove a less controversial appointment to the position of ambassador than Ambassador Anami.
Anami's father's, Anami Korechika, held a senior position in Japan's defeated military government and was opposed to Japan's surrender; though he later signed the documents necessary to make it formal.
Anami's appointment was criticized as being short-sighted, and a symbol of Japan's oft maligned 'the past is the past' approach to regional history, which China does not currently share.
Though receiving little attending elsewhere, the prospect of Iimura's appointment has been the topic of heavy speculation by the Japanese media, with some agencies being accused of 'jumping the gun', after publishing stories that stated his appointment had been signed and sealed, and some reports claiming that he may not indeed be appointment at all. Either way, Japan's next representitive to China looks set to be far more conservative, and less willing to back down in the face of brow beating eminating from Beijing, than serving Ambassador Anami.
View Comments/Add a Comment (4)
1. saucy del mar left...
Monday, 25 July 2005 4:59 pm
From China's actions to this point, it seems friendship isn't possible, no
matter what Japan does to patch relations only result in furthering China's
irritation. It seems that a move to a purely economic relationship is the
right solution. Perhaps Anami being sympathetic to China only encourages
them to contiune digging up heart wrenching stories of their past history
to manipulate current politics.
2. ACB left...
Monday, 25 July 2005 5:27 pm
Unfortunately, Japan and China have two very different approaches to
international relationships like theirs.
3. soudenjapan left...
Saturday, 30 July 2005 8:35 am :: http://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/soudenjapan/
Your analysis on what's going on between the two nations is concise but
strikingly sharp.
4. ACB left...
Sunday, 31 July 2005 4:20 pm
soudenjapan