On May 14, the Japanese government allowed the leaders of the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) to hold the so-called 4th General Assembly in Japan. The invitation was very much at the behest of right-wing elements within Japan. What is worse, the anti-China separatists of the Congress, including Rebiya Kadeer, visited the Yasukuni Shrine in the company of right-wing Japanese figures.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the normalization of Sino-Japanese relations, which should, by rights, have been the perfect time to promote and enhance Sino-Japanese friendship. However, the Japanese government’s involvement in the hosting of the World Uyghur Congress while at the same time speaking publicly about promoting bilateral relations is certain to inflame Chinese indignation.

The Japanese government has completely shirked responsibility for its actions, claiming that it cannot interfere with regular political activity and that it is not illegal to visit the Yasukuni Shrine.

There is no reason for the Japanese government to doubt the nature and intentions of the WUC. This anti-China separatist organization has stirred up ethnic group antagonism and planned a series of violent terrorist incidents. An Interpol Red Notice has been issued for the arrest of the organization’s leaders. On their visit to Japan, they visited the Yasukuni Shrine, which is a monument to war criminals that killed countless Chinese people in the Second World War. The visit was clearly intended to appeal to right-wing elements. The Japanese government should have refused to stage the Congress purely on the basis of right and wrong. It is claimed that the event has also received support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

Given the historical facts, Japan’s right-wing elements not only pulled Japan into a catastrophic war, they also brought terror and calamity to other Asian countries. It is little wonder, then, that the rise and influence of these rightist elements is of great concern to Japan’s neighbors. In light of the past and present damage caused by these elements, the Japanese government should take steps to control them.

However, there is hope. The fifth meeting of the leaders of China, Japan and South Korea recently concluded, having signed a tri-nations investment agreement which included such breakthroughs as the launching of free trade area negotiations. It must be remembered, though, that such close cooperation requires a good political atmosphere.

Indeed, it is a lack of mutual political trust that has impacted negatively on Sino-Japanese cooperation. Sino-Japanese cooperation predates Sino-South Korean cooperation, and yet, it now lags behind. China and South Korea have recently announced the launching of bilateral free trade negotiations. If the trade agreement comes into effect, the output of South Korea’s export to China will exceed Japan’s, according to the Japan External Trade Organization.

Such a scenario is causing concern among the more insightful Japanese observers and analysts. Japan must, then, act to ensure that it corrects its past mistakes in order to foster the kind of mutual trust and harmony which are essential to a mutually beneficial relationship.

It is my hope that Japan, the country which took the lead in terms of East Asian modernization, realigns itself with current global trends and developments in order to ensure an environment conducive to the development of the Sino-Japanese relationship.

(This article was first published in Chinese and translated by Lu Na.)

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