What's happened
Recent discussions at the Beijing-Tokyo Forum highlight the deteriorating relations between China and Japan, marked by mutual distrust and historical grievances. Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda emphasized the need for dialogue and cooperation amid rising geopolitical tensions, particularly regarding Taiwan and trade issues.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the South China Morning Post, former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda warned of a 'crisis of dialogue' at the Beijing-Tokyo Forum, emphasizing the need for decisive action to improve relations. He noted that public sentiment has reached its lowest point in decades, with nearly 90% of respondents from both nations expressing negative views. The Japan Times reported that the deterioration in perceptions is largely attributed to historical grievances and current geopolitical tensions, particularly regarding Taiwan and territorial disputes. The Genron NPO's joint public opinion poll revealed that 87.7% of Chinese respondents view Japan negatively, the highest since 2013, while 89% of Japanese respondents feel similarly about China. This reflects a significant decline in mutual trust and highlights the challenges both nations face in rebuilding their relationship.
How we got here
China-Japan relations have soured over territorial disputes, trade restrictions, and historical grievances. Recent polls indicate a significant decline in mutual perceptions, with nearly 90% of respondents from both nations expressing negative views. The geopolitical landscape is further complicated by Japan's alignment with the U.S. and China's growing assertiveness.
More on these topics
-
China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
-
Japan is an island country of East Asia in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It borders the Sea of Japan to the west and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south.
-
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. Neighbouring countries include the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Japan to the northeast, and the Philippines to the south.
-
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
-
Shigeru Ishiba is a Japanese politician. Ishiba is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party and of Heisei-Kenkyukai until 2011.
-
Xi Jinping is a Chinese politician serving as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China, president of the People's Republic of China, and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
-
Shinzō Abe is a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan and President of the Liberal Democratic Party from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020. He is the longest-serving prime minister in Japanese history.