Japan’s “Diplomatic Blue Book” changes two important statements involving China and South Korea
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On April 16, the Japanese government released the 2024 version of the “Diplomatic Blue Book”, which contained two significant changes: after five years, it restored the statement of “Japan-China strategic mutually beneficial relationship”; after 14 years, it once again described South Korea as a “partner” “.
However, behind this change of expression is the continued advocacy of the “China threat theory” and the assertion of the sovereignty of disputed islands between Japan and South Korea.
“This approach exposes the inconsistency and contradiction between Japan’s words and deeds.” Lu Yaodong, deputy director of the Institute of Japanese Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, pointed out in an interview with China News Service.
5 years later
Why does Japan mention this statement again?
At the Japanese Cabinet meeting held on the 16th, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa announced the 2024 version of the “Diplomatic Blue Book”, summarizing the changes in the international situation and Japan’s foreign policy in the past year.
Regarding Japan-China relations, the document believes that although there are still “many unresolved issues” between Japan and China, maintaining a constructive and stable relationship is very important for the two countries, and both sides need to promote a “strategic mutually beneficial relationship.”
Many Japanese media have noticed that the last time the expression “strategic mutually beneficial relationship” appeared was in the 2019 version of the document. Why did the Japanese government rewrite this statement into the “Diplomatic Blue Book” after five years?
Lu Yaodong said that when the leaders of China and Japan met in San Francisco in November 2023, they reaffirmed the positioning of the two countries’ relations in comprehensively promoting a strategic and mutually beneficial relationship, which provided important political guidance for the development of bilateral relations. “Japan is following this direction by writing a ‘strategic mutually beneficial relationship’ into the blue book at this time.”
However, at the same time, Japan continues to exaggerate the so-called “China threat” in its reports. Lu Yaodong pointed out, “On the one hand, Japan says it wants to promote the strategic and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries, but it also does things that violate the four political documents between China and Japan. This approach is inconsistent and self-contradictory.”
“Next, I hope Japan can match its words and deeds, meet China halfway, safeguard the overall situation of China-Japan relations, and do more things that are conducive to regional peace and stability.” Lu Yaodong emphasized.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular press conference on April 16 that the relevant Japanese documents followed the clichés of smearing and accusing China, exaggerating the so-called “China threat” and unreasonably interfering in China’s internal affairs. China is firmly opposed to this.
Lin Jian also pointed out that we urge Japan to correct its wrong practices, stop provoking and creating confrontation between camps, truly position the strategic mutually beneficial relationship as a guideline for the development of bilateral relations, and move towards building a constructive and stable Sino-Japanese relationship that meets the requirements of the new era. Make unremitting efforts towards a goal.
Japan: “Partner”
South Korea: “Protest”
In terms of diplomatic relations with South Korea, Japan’s “Diplomatic Blue Book” reproduces the “temperature difference”.
On the one hand, the “Diplomatic Blue Book” writes that 2023 is “a period of major changes” in Japan-South Korea relations, and calls South Korea “an important neighbor that should establish a partnership.”
Japan’s Kyodo News Agency pointed out that the Blue Book once again described South Korea as a “partner” since the 2010 edition, reflecting the improvement of bilateral relations. Russian Satellite News Agency pointed out that since South Korean President Yin Xiyue took office, relations between Japan and South Korea have warmed up, and the leaders of the two countries have held many meetings.
On the other hand, Japan has not changed its statement that the disputed islands between Japan and South Korea (called “Takeshima” in Japan and “Dokdo” in South Korea) are Japanese territory, triggering strong protests from the South Korean government and urging Japan to withdraw.
On the same day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea summoned the Minister-General of the Japanese Embassy in South Korea, Taisuke Minio, to protest against Japan’s measures.
Regarding the “temperature difference” between the two statements, Lu Yaodong pointed out, “No matter how Japan flaunts how good Japan-South Korea relations are, in fact, the territorial issue is difficult to resolve.”
In Lu Yaodong’s view, Japan-South Korea relations are caught between “change” and “unchangedness”. What will change is the change of political power in the future, but what will not change is the historical and territorial issues between Japan and South Korea. After the change of government, it may also lead to a back-and-forth in Japan-South Korea relations.
“The fundamental reason for this is that Japan imposes historical revisionism on neighboring countries, which will not be recognized by neighboring countries and will cause problems in the future.” Lu Yaodong analyzed.
“Repeat the same old tune”
What is the purpose of Japan’s win over the camp?
Japan also reiterated in the blue book that the Japan-US alliance is the cornerstone of Japan’s diplomatic security guarantee, and emphasized the need to flexibly use organizational frameworks such as Japan, the United States, South Korea, Japan, the United States and Australia to strengthen security cooperation with Australia, India, Europe and other countries and regions.
In this regard, Lu Yaodong pointed out, “This is a repeat of the same old tune. The Japan-US alliance has always been the cornerstone of Japan’s diplomacy.”
Recently, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited the United States, further deepening the alliance between the two countries. However, Japan’s Kyodo News Agency pointed out that Kishida’s attempt to boost support through his visit to the United States failed.
On the second day of Kishida’s visit to the United States, Japanese people held rallies and demonstrations to oppose the Japanese government’s escalation of military cooperation with the United States. They believed that Japan did not reflect on its history and instead attempted to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance, which was a path of no return toward war.
The latest poll results released by Japan’s Jiji News Agency on April 11 showed that the support rate of Kishida’s cabinet fell to 16.6%, a record low. Singapore’s “Lianhe Zaobao” also pointed out that the approval rate of the cabinet led by Fumio Kishida has been in “dangerous waters” (ie, less than 30%) for six consecutive months.
Lu Yaodong also observed that Japan’s relations with Australia and some NATO member states have developed rapidly through military exercises. The Blue Book also mentioned that Japan will continue to strengthen strategic cooperation with NATO because Japan shares “common core values and strategic interests” with NATO.
In fact, in recent years, Japan has actively cooperated with NATO to intervene in affairs in the Asia-Pacific region, and its strategic links with NATO have become normalized, bringing new uncertainties to the Asia-Pacific region.
What is Japan’s real purpose in continuing to win over the camp?
Lu Yaodong said that no matter how Japan sings the so-called “free and open Indo-Pacific” and other tunes, it is fundamentally for its own national interests, or to enable it to have the right to speak and guide the international community, thus paving the way for the final revision of the constitution. .
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