Today’s Japan should understand China’s true nature more than it did back then.

◎"They strongly requested that, upon the Emperor’s enthronement, Xi Jinping be the first to visit Japan as a state guest"
March 8, 2020
The following is a continuation of the previous section.
"Diplomacy stops at the water’s edge"
How should Japan respond to China?
For example, is it appropriate at this time to invite Xi Jinping as a state guest and allow him an audience with His Majesty the Emperor?
I myself never understood why Xi needed to be hosted as a state guest.
Almost no one in the conservative camp supports this.
I directly expressed this to Prime Minister Abe and Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga when I had the opportunity.
But “diplomacy stops at the water’s edge.”
This applies not only to ruling and opposition parties but also to public intellectuals, whether inside or outside the government.
That is to say, our responsibility is to calmly and thoroughly raise the issue.
If the message is delivered clearly to the Prime Minister, then we should refrain from further criticism—because the government possesses vastly more information than we do.
Amid this, on January 26, former diplomat Yachi Shōtarō appeared on BS Fuji’s “Prime News” and spoke about the issue of Xi Jinping being invited as a state guest.
According to Yachi, China had made a very strong request two or three years prior, saying, “When the Emperor is enthroned, we want to be the first to greet him as a state guest. Please receive us with full honors.”
However, granting such honor to China or to Xi was unacceptable.
Instead, the United States—our ally—invited President Trump first.
Since China could not be invited in the same year, the 2020 state visit was arranged.
China is a neighboring country and a major power.
Considering Japan’s national interest, engaging properly and with formality is essential.
As Yachi explained, Prime Minister Abe was navigating very difficult waters.
After the Tiananmen Incident, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visited China during its period of isolation.
That visit helped China, breaking the international sanctions that had surrounded it.
But then China enacted its territorial waters law and unilaterally declared the Senkaku Islands part of its territory under domestic law.
Japan’s friendly diplomacy was of no use.
Many now fear the same thing will happen again.
But at that time it was the Miyazawa Cabinet.
Was there any coherent Japan–China or Japan–U.S. diplomatic strategy then?
Today’s Japan should understand China’s true nature more than it did back then.
For example, when Trump was elected president in 2020 and Prime Minister Abe was the first to visit Trump Tower, it is said he spent most of the meeting lecturing Trump about the threat China poses.
If that is the level of understanding, then in line with “diplomacy stops at the water’s edge,” all we can do is place our trust—this is my current stance.
To be continued.

＊As I read this piece—especially its final passage—I became convinced that China is the most likely mastermind behind the assassination of Prime Minister Abe.