日中関係

BECAUSE OF disputes over history and real interests, China and Japan are in the worst diplomatic difficulty since they established formal ties. Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura is to visit Beijing the day after tomorrow. He has said he hopes he can, by his visit, increase Japanese祐ino cooperation and improve Japanese祐ino relations. He has also said he will invite China's Premier Wen Jiabao to Japan. However, Nobutaka Machimura, who has repeatedly asked that Beijing cease supporting Chinese people's anti憂apanese demonstrations, has said he cannot accept that Chinese people should protest over matters of history. Such is his attitude that he is not one whom China would welcome. How can he achieve the goal of improving Sino憂apanese relations?

In sharp contrast to Japan's attitude is Germany's. Germany, which committed war crimes against people in Europe and other parts of the world during World War II, has for years regarded it of overriding importance to ponder on history. While Japan's neighbours saw waves of protests against its attempts to revise history textbooks and gloss over the fact that it started wars of aggression, German Chancellor Gerhard Shroeder said in Berlin after meeting South Korean President Roh Moo揺yun that every country must find its own way to deal with the glories and shames in its history.
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