2023.04.08
On the 7th of April, the delegation from the GVI continues its visit in Tokyo. The purpose of these visits is to discuss issues pertaining to Sino-Japanese relations with former politicians, members of think tanks and media. The delegation paid a visit to the Chairman of the Japan-China Society - Shimizu Seno, where both parties agreed that reinforcing multi-faceted communication between Chinese and Japanese youths is urgently needed. However, out of the seven associations that are friendly towards China, everyone of them suffer from the same problems, which are a lack of members, aging current members, and a lack of funds. Consequently, these problems desperately demands attention from both the government of China and the government of Japan.
The delegation had lunch with Yasuto Tanaka and Koji Sugimoto, members of Editorial Committee of Sankei Shimbun. The delegation, together with Mr. Tanaka and Mr. Sugimoto analysed Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s cabinet’s China policy. The delegation also conveyed the message that they are looking forward to reading Mr. Tanaka’s article titled “Analysing Japanese Defence Policy During the Last 30 Years”.
The delegation also paid a visit to Yasushi Kudo, CEO of Genron NPO. Both parties reached a consensus regarding promoting dialogues between Chinese and Japanese non-government organizations which are able to influence the government decision making process.
The delegation then went to the Japan Institute for International Affairs, where they had an honest discussion with the Institute's director Tomiko Ichikawa, Research Advisor Tomiko Ichikawa, Japanese-Chinese Joint Historical Research Institute's director Shigeru Toyama, and reseacher Yumi Iijima. All members of both parties agreed that both China and Japan need to reflect on their diplomatic relations, and that the leaders of both countries need to think at a strategic level in order to promote multi-faceted communication and to remove obstacles between China and Japan.
Aside from this, the delegation also paid a visit to Toshimoto Morimoto, former Japanese Minister of Defence and Sato Yoshio, Professor from Takushoku University. The delegation discussed thoroughly with Mr. Morimoto and Professor Yoshio on topics pertaining to the Taiwan issue and Japanese defence policies. The delegation also exchanged views with the former Japanese Ambassador to China Sakutaro Tanino, and Chief Assistant of the Asia-Oceania Bureau Kunikane Haruethe on topics regarding the problems that is currently plaguing the development of Sino-Japanese relations and how to resolve these problems.