China-Japan relations
Both China and Japan have been guided by nationalism in their dealings with each other. The Chinese side still feels it has not been taken seriously by Japan by refusing to issue a formal apology for the atrocities committed against innocent Chinese civilians during the Second World War invasion of China. For example, the Nanjing massacre (also known as the rape of Nanjing) in which the Japanese soldiers killed thousands of Chinese civilians, and the infamous “731” unit of the Japanese army which experimented with biological and chemical warfare by injecting the Chinese civilians with viruses in North Eastern China. The Japanese side feels that it owes no apologies whatsoever to China for the acts committed by its army during the Second World War. Moreover, some Japanese history textbooks refusing to acknowledge the fact that Japan invaded China, and the visits to Yashukuni shrine by the Japanese leaders, especially by Junichiro Koizumi in prime ministerial capacity from 2001-2006, in which, among others the generals who were responsible for the invasion of China, for example, Tojo Hideki are enshrined, are seen by the Chinese as Japan trying to rewrite its history.
If Japan is trying to rewrite its history, then China is adamant on recreating it. There are countless movies, TV shows and books on the Japanese invasion of China which graphically depict the Japanese atrocities. What’s more, one of the claims of the Chinese Communist Party has been that “under the leadership of Chairman Mao, the Chinese Communist Party defeated the Japanese”. Since China was subjected to humiliation by Japan and Western powers in its not-so-distant history and its territories divided between them, the Chinese are very sensitive when it comes to preserving their territorial integrity. In this context, any Japanese action against China is seen as a continuation of the historical bullying of China, and for this reason, the Chinese leaders and public are quick to show their displeasure and react in strong terms. If the Chinese leadership does not react strongly or tries to stop the anti-Japanese protests, the chances are this would spark a popular nationalist movement to oust the ruling Chinese Communist Party from power. So far the Chinese government has been able to use the nationalist sentiments of its people to its interests, and evoke or control them whenever it suits it, but this can backfire and turn against the ruling party. And if one looks at the Chinese history, all Chinese revolutions have nationalist undertones to them.
The Japanese leadership, although aware of the Chinese sensitivities and rising nationalism there, is unable to issue a formal apology to China for one simple reason: Many Japanese families lost their members during the Second World War and apologizing for their deeds automatically translates as disrespecting the families of the dead soldiers, who in their families’ view, died for the nation’s cause. Also, Japan too, is seeing a surge in nationalism. A significant number of Japanese feel they have been wronged by the international community, especially the US, by forcing it to become the only country in the world to renounce the use of violence in conducting its foreign policy. There are voices in Japan that call for independence in conducting its foreign policy and not bow down to anybody’s pressure, be it Chinese or American. Since Japan is a democracy, the leaders are forced to acknowledge these views too to secure their votes in the elections, which has made them appear strong when dealing with China.
Geopolitical considerations
The sternness with which Japan has dealt with the fishing boat issue should be linked with other issues surrounding the East and South-East Asian regions. China’s support of North Korean regime, which is working on developing nuclear weapons has made Japan wary of its security. China’s refusal to support the international sanctions against North Korea following its sinking of a South Korean military vessel in March is viewed by the Japanese security analysts as emboldening North Korea to engage in such activities in the future. And since North Korea is increasingly being seen as a security threat by Japanese security analysts, the sternness with which Japan is dealing with the fishing boat issue can be interpreted as a signal to the Chinese to not take Japan lightly, and be considerate of its security concerns.
Another reason for the Japanese government to put a brave face in the recent dispute is the declining Japanese influence in the East and South-East Asia regions. Until recently, all countries of the regions were in the Japanese orbit, thanks to its economic prowess, but with China’s active engagement in the region through regional associations such as the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Asean Regional Forum (ARF), signing of a free trade agreement between ASEAN and China is bringing those countries to the Chinese orbit. For the Japanese, Chinese are undermining their traditional role in the region and it is about time they became assertive when it comes to dealing with China. In the East Asian societies, where honor and face are valued, neither China nor Japan wants to lose the honor (its standing in the region) and face (its national dignity) by appearing soft when dealing with each other.
Clearly, the two countries, both economic and security powers of the region, should not view their relations through the narrow prism of nationalism. They should instead be considerate of each other’s valid concerns and be willing to compromise. This translates as Japan acknowledging, if not outright issuing apology for the Second World War atrocities, and China discouraging anti-Japan nationalism and working with the international community to curb North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. Otherwise, the tensions between the two countries have the potential to affect not only the East Asia region, but the whole of Asia and the world.
Writer is a Republica staff. He holds a BA in Chinese Studies & MA in International Relations
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