Editorial | Japan’s new PM must respect China’s red lines if ties are to improve
Sanae Takaichi should show she shares her predecessor’s understanding of the importance of China to Japan’s economy
Japan’s relations with China were marked by increased engagement during the year in office of Shigeru Ishiba, Takaichi’s predecessor as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The Chinese Foreign Ministry has lost no time in reminding her of China’s red lines if ties are to further improve. A spokesperson said Beijing hoped Tokyo would honour its political commitments on major issues such as history and the Taiwan question.
An ally and cabinet colleague of the late former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe, who was hawkish on China, Takaichi is known for consistent adherence to two positions that affronted Beijing – support for Taiwan in repeated speeches and ritual visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which commemorates war dead, including Class A war criminals; it remains symbolic of historical differences between the former enemies. Visiting the shrine as a politician is one thing; doing so as prime minister is another. She should take the difference to heart and think better of continuing her normal practice.
That may not be an entirely forlorn wish. Takaichi skipped her usual autumn festival visit to the shrine last weekend, apparently to avoid giving more offence to victims of past Japanese militarism and imperialism.
Takaichi’s election by parliament ends a three-month political vacuum since the LDP’s election loss in July. The LDP’s alliance with the Osaka-based right-wing Japan Innovation Party ensured her premiership because the opposition is not united. Takaichi is still short of a majority and will need support from other opposition groups to govern, which could destabilise her government.
China is taking a wait-and-see stance, with bilateral political relations just one issue confronting Takaichi, alongside an ailing economy amid population ageing, and trade and business relations with China and the US. Takaichi is yet to show that she shares Ishiba’s understanding of the importance of China to Japan’s economy. At the Apec summit, most of the attention will be on Xi and Trump and an anticipated bilateral summit. But many will be taking stock of the new leader of the world’s fourth-largest economy.