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Japanese pessimistic about future ties with China

A new survey shows a huge difference in the way Chinese and Japanese view the relationship between their nations:

More than 80 percent of Chinese are optimistic about future ties with Japan, while only 32 percent of Japanese feel likewise, a bilateral survey released Monday shows.

On other matters, 95 percent of the survey’s Japanese respondents cited worries over the safety of food imported from China.

Looking at this week’s big scandal about pesticide-tainted Chinese rice being sold in Japan, I’d have to say that things aren’t going to be getting better any time soon.

19 comments - What do you think? Posted by James - September 9, 2008 at 2:11 pm

Categories: General Japan Tags: sino-japanese

Bob

Just a comment on the last paragraph, from the linked article:

The rice came from about 1,800 tons that Mikasa Foods bought from the government starting in fiscal 2003. Included was Chinese rice that contained excessive levels of the pesticide methamidophos.

The Japanese government bought the rice for industrial use (making glue), because it was tainted and unfit for human consumption.

The Japanese government (and not China) then sold the tainted rice to the companies that misused it.

This is an internel Japanese problem, and nothing to do with China.

http://www.japanprobe.com James

The Japanese government and company may be to blame, but when the Japanese public sees on the news that the pesticide-tainted rice came from China, it only reinforces their existing negative opinions about Chinese food imports.
Bob

Unfortunately all too true.
Wayne Li

Once again, China is being targeted… and once again info is being left out to make China look bad.

Get a Job, Son!

… and of course this example of ‘problem’ rice imported food will also rise again during the next WTO round of talks. Here is the non-too subtle reference.
The sold rice included about 295 tons produced in China that contained the pesticide methamidophos, and three tons from Vietnam and other areas tainted with the natural carcinogen aflatoxin B1. Japan had bought the rice under World Trade Organization minimum-access regulations, which set a minimum level for imports.

That is, the only reason this rice was in Japan in the firstplace was due to demands from other rice-growing nations (US, Aust etc). This can then strengthen the Japanese position that they dont want overseas rice.

… personal note, locally grown Japanese rice is the best tasting, period!
Chris

I don’t really understand why the Chinese think relations with Japan will improve while the Japanese don’t. Clearly the import issues which crop up from time to time (Exemplified by the above comments on rice) regardless of who’s fault cast a negative light on China, but in a very small way. I can’t believe something as minor as occasional quality issues would lead to only a 32% positive view, so can the more informed commenters let me in (If you have any theories) on why the Japanese don’t think ties will improve?

Random FIlipino

Surely you don’t believe that the Japanese are only concerned about poisoned food and other “occasional quality issues”.

Random FIlipino

Here’s the official Chinese spin regarding the survey according to one of the China’s official publications:

an excerpt from China Digital Times:
http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2008/09/survey-sino-japanese-relationship-improving/

the full article from the publication itself (China Daily):
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-09/08/content_7008801.htm

And, results of the survey itself, to judge for yourself who and what to believe:

China’s opinion of Japan (Genron NPO)
http://www.genron-npo.net/en/beijing-tokyo2007/002798.html

Japan’s opinion of China (Genron NPO)
http://www.genron-npo.net/en/beijing-tokyo2007/002797.html

I’ve skimmed through the survey results, and the usual suspects keep coming up (Chinese concern over the events of WWII, that the Japanese are not remorseful enough; and on the Japanese side, that China is too self centered in its dealings, and concern over the rapid build up of the Chinese military). Haven’t gone through the articles in full though. Although I don’t think that there’s anything new.

Random FIlipino

Sorry, wasn’t able to include this in my previous comment, but here’s the link to the numbers and pie charts. Shows the differences in thinking between the two countries regarding hot topics like natural resources, history disputes, Yaukuni, and others.

Genron NPO (PDF)
http://www.genron-npo.net/pdf/20070817_e_press.pdf

Random FIlipino

Ah, more apologies, looks like I posted the links for the survey results from last year (August 2007). I think Stereo below has the 2008 results.

stereo

This is a Link to Genron NPO’s research results (in Japanese).

http://www.tokyo-beijingforum.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=345:canvass4th2008&catid=83:canvass4th2008&Itemid=160

The report says 56.3% of the Japanese surveyed answered they have a bad impression of China because China looks egocentric as to natural resources, energy and food.

46.4% of Chinese see Japan as a country of militarism, followed by 45.3% capitalism, 33.6% ethnicism, 20.7% nationalism, 20% hegemonism, 10.6% pacifism, 9% democracy, 7.1% liberalism and 5.4% internationalism. (multiple answer)

48.1% of Chinese see Japan as a military threat, which ranks No 2 after the USA (60.4%). Only 3.9% of Chinese see South Korea as a military threat. Largest number of Japanese see North Korea (74.3%) as a military threat, followed by China (54.8%) and Russia (24.5%).

I wonder why Chinese see Japan as a country of militarism, in spite of the fact that military personnel have almost no influence in Japan.
LOD

I wonder how Chinese can be optimistic about the future with Japanese, when their “Japan” is a militaristic nation only famous for Nanjing and Yasukuni.
Gomen-ne

That’s just our Japanese personality and attitude shining through = we’re just not so positive about many things in our lives since WW2. We’re trying hard – we really are. But it’s difficult. The Status Quo is hard to change.
We realize that there are so many good things in the world now, Japan itself is much more successful and bountiful than it was 70 years ago – we’ve done well.
China is the new America – she is experiencing exactly what America experienced 100 years ago. We know that the 21st Century belongs to China.

ponta

nihonjinnofuriwoshitaino? nannotame?
stereo

Gomen-ne: “China is the new America”
Very interesting proposition. I see more differences than similarities between China and the US. Would you elaborate a bit more about it?

The Overthinker

It’s not a new idea: after the 1911 Revolution that overthrew the Qing, the US was very interested in China, seeing it in a paternal sense as another country that threw off the yoke of monarchy and became a republic (one reason they supported China so well in WW2). The warlordism and general chaos that developed following the revolution generally meant that US business interests in the Far East were often centred on the Imperialist Japan (leaving aside the British colony of Hong Kong), but the idealism was still there.

Yes, there are some fundamental differences between the US and China, and I am not referring to the current Chinese govt. But both countries believe that it is their manifest destiny to rule (if only indirectly) the world, and that their civilization is supreme.

Chris

No I don’t, which is why I said “…cast a negative light on China, but in a very small way.” And also why I went on to say, “I can’t believe something as minor as occasional quality issues would lead to a 32$ positive view…” Look, that one even managed to quote what you did! Yay for quotes.

Seriously though, its why I asked what OTHER reasons Japanese don’t think Japanese-Chinese relations will improve while the Chinese do.

stereo

Obviously, no one can speak for entire Japanese, but this is what I think.

It is very likely that China will be a big economic success. But as they succeed economically, their consumption of energy and natural resources will sky rocket. Yes, I understand Chinese have the right to be happy and they can use as much as they can afford. So, what we are likely to see is a shortage of natural resources and straggles for them. Possibly, such straggles can lead to a major war. This may be the reason people see future relation with China not bright.

Besides, China is a communist regime. Who can tell today’s economic boom is not a doomed “spring of Beijing”? Their present friendly policy may change over-night at the whim of politburo. This is another reason the relation with China may deteriorate in the future.

Mister M

yeah I agree!!!

Japanese pessimistic about future ties with China

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