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Crucial time for ties

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-09-25 08:04

The coming and going of prime ministers in Japan is not only a matter for that country. It interests the rest of the world as each new prime minister comes with his own distinct set of policies.

Taro Aso, who became Japan's prime minister yesterday, will likely have no choice but to focus more on domestic issues.

Poor management of these issues forced his predecessor Yasuo Fukuda to resign earlier this month. These issues will shape the new prime minister's diplomatic agenda.

Japan's neighbors are keeping a close eye on what sort of Asia policy Aso will adopt.

In a debate with the four other leadership candidates on Sept 12, Aso made public his China policy, which subordinates China-Japan relations to the Japan-US alliance. It is clear that the United States, Japan's major ally, is of the utmost importance to him.

Japan's new prime minister is likely to follow the path of "value-oriented diplomacy." This will serve as the basis for future Sino-Japanese ties.

Some of his China policy echoes that of his political ally Shinzo Abe. "We will live together with China," Aso said. "Friendship is only a tool, the real goal is the co-prosperity of Japan and China."

In his most recent book, An Extraordinary Japan, he says China's development as a major economic power is "favorable" and bilateral relations must overcome the past with a focus on "reconciliation and cooperation".

Aso believes that his value-oriented foreign policy would help establish "the arc of freedom and prosperity" along the outer rim of Eurasia.

In doing so, Japan hopes to shed the perception that it is a mercantilist power by placing greater emphasis on what it has identified as the universal values of democracy, freedom, human rights, rule of law and market economics.

Such a policy smacks of the Cold War. It will invite other countries to put Japan's behavior under the microscope.

It has taken tremendous efforts from both sides to warm up the relations between China and Japan since Shinzo Abe replaced Junichiro Koizumi in Sept 2006.

China has replaced the US to become the largest export market for Japan, while increased people-to-people exchanges have enhanced mutual understanding.

A continued strategic relationship of mutual benefit is of special value as it will not only be beneficial to both countries but also contribute to the peace and stability of East Asia.

(China Daily 09/25/2008 page8)