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The Future of the Japanese-Chinese Relationship: The Case for a Grand Political Bargain

Lookup NU author(s): Emeritus Professor Reinhard Drifte

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Abstract

Compared with the strained relationship during the Koizumi era, Japanese-Chinese relations today seem to prove that despite many bilateral problems, asolution can always be found. This attitude is too complacent as a closerexamination of the three main disputes shows: the history-related issues, theterritorial disputes in the East China Sea, and Taiwan. Bilateral agreements,understandings, or protracted negotiations may provide temporary relief butmay turn out to be very costly in the long run to Japan’s national interestsand to regional stability while time is not on Japan’s side in view of theshifting comprehensive power relationship between the two countries. Instead,Japan should clarify its position in the Japan–US–China triangle, reform itseconomy, strengthen its Asian policy and sort out its priorities concerning thethree main problems by striking a grand bargain

Publication metadata

Author(s): Drifte R

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Asia-Pacific Review

Year: 2009

Volume: 16

Issue: 2

Pages: 55-74

Print publication date: 01/11/2009

Date deposited: 12/07/2010

ISSN (print): 1343-9006

ISSN (electronic): 1469-2937

Publisher: Routledge

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13439000903371668

DOI: 10.1080/13439000903371668

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