Editorials

Japan's right-wing risks

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-07-07 07:58

The disagreement between China and Japan over the Diaoyu Islands this week, reveals, yet again, that some in the island country are continually looking for opportunities to stir up trouble over the issue. By sending boats to fish in China's maritime territory, they attempt to demonstrate Japan's unfounded sovereignty claim and hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.

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This time, the instigators in Japan will soon find out that they are making trouble for their own country.

According to Japanese media, about 10 fishing boats with members of right-wing groups on board left a local port on Sunday to operate in the waters off the Diaoyu Islands, which are in China's maritime territory.

China on Monday lodged a solemn protest with Japan, demanding an immediate withdrawal of the Japanese fishing boats and according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry the boats have now left the area.

China's sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands is indisputable. The country's indignation over Japan's provocation is reasonable, and its demand, justified.

In the face of Japan's provocation, there have been calls for China to dispatch its marine surveillance ships and fisheries law enforcement vessels more frequently to the waters around the Diaoyu Islands.

For Japan's part, it will face severe consequences from the reckless move instigated by the country's rightists, a move which does not serve the country's interests.

Given that Japan is facing the formidable tasks of reconstruction and reining in its crippled nuclear reactors in the wake of the devastating earthquake and tsunami on March 11, a chill in its relations with China is the last thing it wants, for China could play an important role in its reconstruction.

The latest incident could have an adverse impact on bilateral ties, which have shown signs of warming after China provided support and timely relief to Japan in the wake of the disasters.

The incident apparently clouded Japanese Foreign Minister Matsumoto Takeaki's visit to Beijing this week and could dent Tokyo's efforts to mend fences with Beijing. The teetering Naoto Kan administration clearly has more to gain if it works at improving ties with Beijing.

If it is still willing to walk toward that direction, it should show sincerity by reining in the country's rightists. Japan's notorious right-wing groups have been raising their ugly head in recent years. They have not only whipped up nationalistic sentiments in Japanese society but also sowed seeds of dissension between Japan and its neighbors, China included.

More worryingly, it seems Japan's rightists do not lack sympathizers among government officials. If the country continues to allow its rightists to run rampant, both its relations with neighbors and its domestic agenda will suffer.

(China Daily 07/07/2011 page8)