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China & Japan

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CHINA & JAPAN
The main issues primary issues that separate China and Japan is mainly the acknowledgement of the roles each country during the second Simo-Japanese war during the second war. The main bowl on contention is the Nanking massacre in which Japan invaded China and conquered and occupied Nanjing, which was then China’s capital for six weeks and the mass rape and murder that ensued by the Japanese imperialist army. At lot of the victims were buried in mass graves level of evil and China claims that 300,000 of its citizens lost their lives even though the veracity of that number is debated.1
The saying goes winners get to write history and losers get the gallows and it means the when two cultures clash the winners live to write the history of the events and war while the losers are obliterated. However, in the case of China and Japan both the winner and loser got to write the history but two different versions of it. Fast-forward to today over 70 years after the Nanjing massacre, the historical significance of this event that is being passed down to younger generations in both countries could not be more different and therein is the problem. 1
The Japanese then to glaze over this event and instead focuses on the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which makes them looks like victims during the war. One of the official history books being used middle schools in japan refers to the massacre as the incidence, downplaying the atrocities committed during that period.1 China along with South Korea wants Japan to pass the history as it happened to its younger generation and not reduce the significance of some parts of history because it portrays them in the bad light. Japan on the other hand feels that since that time they have been an advocate of peace and do not see the significance of spotlighting a dark time in their history when in the past 60 years they have done their very best to change and distance themselves from the country they used to be.
In line with the aftermath of Simo-Japanese war, is the Yasukuni Shrine in Japan, which they used to honor those that died serving Japan. However, some the warcrime generals that were executed after the Simo-Japanese war ended are also honored there and the fact the Japan’s current prime minister Shinzo Abe has been going to visit the shrine one a year to honor Japan’s falling heroes.2 The question is he is not invariably honoring the war crimes general as well? Is he honoring them for the atrocities they help commit? Another issue is the China has sought to block Japan’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations’ security council.3
There have been several anti-Japanese protests in China over the years. Although, the Chinese government has not organized these protests, they have not done anything to stop them or to disperse to crowd as shown in the video. Also there is the question of patriotic education style of China, which continues to increase anti-Japanese sentiments. If Germany was the main aggressor in both World Wars and the world has forgiven Germany and moved on from it, why can’t China move on? As it seems to me that China keeps fanning the flame and the government seems to be easily slighted by actions of the Japanese government.
Political climate definitely affect international business and for two important economies there are definitely issues at hand that hinder business between both countries. The main issue is the growing mutual distrust between the citizens of both countries. According to Pew Research, just 1 in 20 Japanese “have a favorable attitude toward China” and “anti-Japan sentiment is quite strong in China, where 90 percent of the public has an unfavorable opinion of Japan.” 2
For example, in January 20, 2008, ten people in Japan fell ill due to food-poisoining after eating Chinese manufactured dumpling that were imported by a Japanese affiliate. 4 The dumplings in Japan were tested and they were found contain traces of pesticide and the product was promptly recalled by the Japanese affiliate and an apology was issued. However, the Chinese government also conducted their investigation on the manufacturing plant in China where the dumplings came from and stated that they found no traces of the pesticides during the course of their own investigations.4 So the question was, did Japan intentionally taint the dumplings in order to cast China in a bad light?
Both countries economies benefit from the other. Japan is one of China’s biggest trade partners and visa versa. I think a way to overcome this is by partnerships or affiliations. It would be an easier way to market a service or product to either countries when the face of the company being shown to them is home-grown and once a company can establish strong consumer loyalty to the product or service they are offering then it is easier for them to citizens to accept the product for what it is rather the company behind it. Even though a few people might boycott the product/service, if it a efficient and effective compared to alternatives then businesses still have a very good opportunity of either country.

REFERENCES
1. Wang, Z. (n.d.). History Education: The Source of Conflict Between China and Japan. The Diplomat. 23 Apr. 2014.

2. Sorkin, A. R. (n.d.). Anxiety Rising Over Relations Between Japan and China. DealBook Anxiety Rising Over Relations Between Japan and China Comments. 27 Jan. 2014.

3. Fisher, M. (n.d.). The real roots of China-Japan tensions. Washington Post. May 13. 2013.

4. Beehner, L., & Bhattacharji, P. Strained Ties between China and Japan. Council on Foreign Relations. 14 Mar. 2008.

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