Translation from JapaneseOpening statement byformer Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone
Chairman, Institute for International Policy Studies
at the press conference on April 23, 2008
on the occasion of publishing the recommendation paper entitled:―A New Chapter in Japan–China Relations‖
April 23, 2008
Institute for International Policy Studies

The following is the text of the message expressed by IIPS Chairman Nakasone:
The Institute for International Policy Studies (IIPS) has completed the recommendation paper on
the occasion of the upcoming visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao scheduled in early May. We
chose this theme because I recognize that the Japan–China relationship is now entering a newera and that it is of extreme importance how Japan and China face each other at this opportunity
when they seek co-existence and Asian regional order.
China’s policy changes towards Japan have played a major role in enabling Japan–China
relations to face the new age. The driving force for the change is not only China’s interests, butthat the regional and international situation has been strongly seeking its structural change. It
goes without saying that Japan has hoped heartily that the relationship advance to one stage
higher than before.
The paper calls such relations ―A Broadly Perceived and Amicable Major PowerRelationship.‖ I think it is necessary that the two sides recognize each other as an influential
major power and take responsible actions, and that both countries build mature relations andcooperate for Asia by perceiving the relationship broadly.
The recommendations raised eight (8) basic principles important for developing
Japan-China relations. Here I will briefly explain a few points.
The first point is that Japan and China must build ―a relationship in which they can frankly
say with courtesy to one another what needs to be said.‖ Given that the world, including Asia,
has entered a new era, Japan–China relations also need to change. Up until now, Japan has
tried to guard against a backlash over the history issue by refraining from saying much about
itself, which has rather brought about misunderstandings and conflicts. A healthy diplomatic
relationship is now required in which the two nations can assert views frankly and thereby findcommon ground.
Related to this, it is important for both sides to resolve conflicts, should any arise,peacefully based on international law and justice. The recommendations points out that thelooming energy development problem in the East China Sea is such an example.
The second point is related to history. As I said previously, the main reason Japan–China
relations entered a new era is that the age is seeking a change, but the leadership of China’s
present administration also took an important role. Especially important is China’s new posture toovercome the history issue with joint efforts of both countries from a broad perspective. Japan
should highly evaluate China’s effort to change the policy towards Japan and watch it carefully.

1

As the subtitle states, ―towards co-existence and co-development that overcomeshistory,‖ both sides should take measures with two-way efforts to overcome history. More broadly
speaking, the efforts of both sides to enhance mutual understanding are considerably insufficient
partly due to the long-standing ill feelings coming from history and, with this recognition, theleaders of both countries must take a long-range view and work towards sweeping improvements
in mutual understanding. To this end, we recommend both sides to take concrete measures in
the important fields such as strengthening personnnel exchanges as well as cultural andacademic exchanges. Above all, history and education are so crucial that appropriate measuresin these fields should be taken by both sides. In this sense, the example of the reconciliation
process between Germany and France can be useful for reference.
Third, one of the key words in these recommendations is Asia. I think the time has comefor Japan and China take responsible actions for building a regional order from a broad
perspective.This is the first time in history both countries have an opportunity of jointly working
for the regional order. In this sense, I realize the relationship is becoming ―public goods‖ for Asia
and, by extension, for the world. Like the relationship between Germany and France, we have achance to become a linchpin for peace and prosperity in Asia. The hope that this relationshipwould mature has been growing among Asian nations including ASEAN countries in particular. It
can be anticipated that—just as with the Franco–German relationship—progress on multilateral
cooperation will lead the two sides to overcome the past. Related to this, I would like toemphasize the importance of the US cooperation in this region.
Fourth, the importance of the cooperation of the three Northeast Asian nations Japan,
China, and South Korea should be emphasized even in the context of Japan–China relations.
The progress of Japan–South Korea relations and that of South Korea–China relations will help
enhance Japan–China relations. Cooperation by the three nations might help overcome thehistory issue. It is also important to the problem of North Korea. After the resolution of theabduction issue and abandonment of nuclear weapons, the Six-Party Talks should be examined
to be enlarged into a framework for cooperation on security in Northeast Asia. This newframework must serve as a regional safety valve that complements existing security mechanisms
in the shape of the Japan–US alliance and the US–Korea alliance.
Fifth and last is the military issue of China. We are asking China to enhance militarytransparency in the recommendations. It is, above all, important to avoid occurrence of any
unexpected military conflicts and enhance a sense of reassurance with the united efforts of theentire Asian region. For this purpose, we recommend the establishment of an effective regional
security cooperation framework. Japan and China are neighbors with a strong mutual
dependency who still live constantly with the seeds of conflict.Therefore, both countries should
put into place mechanisms to prevent military conflicts that may spring from unforeseen events.

2