China this week

THE WAY FORWARD FOR US-CHINA RELATIONS WITH HANK PAULSON & STEVE HADLEY. 7/17, 11:00am-12:15pm, Washington, DC. Sponsor: Atlantic Council. Speaker: The Honorable Henry M. Paulson, Jr., Chairman, Paulson Institute at the University of Chicago; The Honorable Stephen Hadley, Founding Partner, RiceHadleyGates LLC ; Mr. Frederick Kempe, President & CEO, Atlantic Council.

THE CHINA SYNDROMELOCAL LABOR MARKET EFFECTS OF IMPORT COMPETITION IN THE UNITED STATES. 7/17, 12:30-2:30pm, Washington, DC. Sponsor: Economic Policy Institute (EPI). Speakers: David Autor, Professor of Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Faculty Research Associate, National Bureau of Economic Research; Gary Burtless, Senior Fellow-Economic Studies, The Brookings Institution; Thea Lee, Deputy Chief of Staff and Economist, AFL-CIO; Robert Scott, Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Research, Economic Policy Institute. 

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE U.S.-CHINA ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP. 7/18, Noon-1:30pm, Washington, DC. Sponsor: Center for American Progress (CAP). Speakers: Treasury Undersecretary for International Affairs Lael Brainard; John Podesta, chairman of the CAP.

DOMESTIC VALUE-ADDED IN CHINESE EXPORTS. 7/19, 11:30am-1:00pm, Washington, DC. Sponsor: United States International Trade Commission (USITC). Speaker: Hiau Looi Kee, World Bank.

UNITED STATES-CHINA-JAPAN RELATIONS. 7/19, Noon-1:30pm, lunch, Washington, DC. Sponsor: Asia Foundation. Speakers: Ambassador J. Stapleton Roy, Director of the Kissinger Institute on China-United States Relations, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; Dr. Robert Sutter, Professor of the Practice of International Affairs, George Washington University; Dr. Albert Keidel, Senior Fellow, The Atlantic Council of the United States and Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University Public Policy Institute. 

IMPRESSIONS FROM CHINA. 7/19, 5:00-6:15pm, Washington, DC. Sponsor: US-Asia Institute. Speakers: Former Members of Congress Connie Morella, Martin Frost, and Robert Walker.

RECEPTION RECOGNIZING THE 2012 CHINESE RULE OF LAW PROGRAM. 7/19, 6:15-8:30pm, Washington, DC. Sponsor: US-Asia Institute.

UNFAIR TRADING PRACTICES AGAINST THE U.S.

7/19 - 10:00am, 2172 Rayburn House Office Building. House Foreign Affairs Committee, Full committee hearing on "Unfair Trading Practices against the US: Intellectual Property Rights Infringement, Property Expropriation, and other Barriers." Witnesses: Grant Aldonas, managing director of Split Rock International and former Commerce Undersecretary for international trade; Roberto Hernandez, vice president of HBO Latin America Group; Derek Scissors, senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation.

Prime Minister of Japan's Schedule June 11-24, 2012

June 11, 2012 (MON)

AM
08:00 Mr. Saito, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary; Mr. Tezuka, Special Advisor to PM
09:31 Both leave
09:50 Parliament
10:00 Meeting of the House of Representatives Special Committee on the Comprehensive Reform of Social Security and Taxation Systems
11:59 Mr. Bunmei Ibuki, LDP Lower House Member

PM
12:05 Office
12:52 Parliament
01:00 Meeting of the House of Representatives Special Committee on the Comprehensive Reform of Social Security and Taxation Systems
05:23 Office
05:32 Courtesy Call from the Chairman of the State Duma, the Russian Federation, Mr. Naryshkin Sergey Evgenievich; Mr. Saito and Mr. Nagashima, Special Advisor to PM attends.
05:49 Three DPJ/Government Executive Meeting
06:27 Mr. Kawabata, Minister of Internal Affairs and Communication; Mr. Fujimura, Chief Cabinet Secretary; Mr. Goto, Senior Vice Minister, Cabinet Office
06:45 Mr. Tezuka, Special Advisor to PM
07:09 Residence

June 12, 2012 (TUE)

AM
06:31 Mr. Saito, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary; Mr. Tezuka, Special Advisor to PM
08:09 Both leave
08:14 Parliament
08:24 Ministerial meeting
08:32 Mr. Okada, Deputy Prime Minister
08:38 Mr. Kozo Watanabe, DPJ Lower House Member
08:59 Lower House Budget Committee

PM
12:05 Office
12:51 Parliament
12:59 Lower House Budget Committee
05:06 Office
05:15 Mr. Tezuka, Special Advisor to PM
05:32 Employment Strategy Dialogue
05:59 Mr. Nobuaki Koga, President of Trade Union Confederation; Mr. Nagahama, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, attends
06:16 Reports from Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV)
06:35 Mr. Maehara, DPJ Policy Research Council Chair
07:03 Residence

June 13, 2012 (WED)

AM
07:03 Mr. Nagahama, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary; Mr. Tezuka, Special Advisor to PM
08:23 Both leave
08:37 Mr. Taketoshi, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary
08:48 Parliament
09:00 Upper House Budget Committee

PM
12:00 Three DPJ/Government Executive Meeting
12:32 Mr. Maehara, DPJ Policy Research Council Chair
01:00 Upper House Budget Committee
05:13 Office
05:16 Mr. Maehara, DPJ Policy Research Council Chair
05:43 Mr. Tezuka, Special Advisor to PM
06:08 Funeral Ceremony of Prince Mikasa
06:58 Residence

June 14, 2012 (THU)

AM
09:17 Burial Ceremony of Prince Mikasa
10:59 Residence
11:57 Office

PM
01:00 Mr. Toshihiro Kuroda and Mr. Yoshifumi Tsuge, New and Old President of Japan Post Office Chiefs Association. Mr. Fujimura attends.
01:12 Mr. Michihiko Kano, DPJ Lower House member
01:39 Mr. Kano leaves
04:40 Mr. Kitamura, Head of Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office
05:25 Mr. Furukawa, Minister of State for National Policy
06:08 Courtesy Call from the General Secretary of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) of Myanmar, Mr. Htay Oo, Mr. Fujimura attends
06:24 Mr. Tezuka, Special Advisor to PM
07:20 Mr. Tezuka leaves
07:34 Mr. Okada, Dputy Prime Minister
08:10 Residence

June 15, 2012 (FRI)

AM
08:09 Parliament
08:15 Ministerial meeting
08:34 Office
08:38 Mr. Okada, Deputy Prime Minister; Mr. Nakatsuka, Senior Vice Minister of Cabinet Office; and Mr. Matsumoto, former Cabinet Office Administrative Vice Minister
08:46 Mr. Fujimura, Chief Cabinet Secretary joins
08:50 Everyone leaves
11:24 Mr. Yoshiaki Tanaka, DPJ Lower House member

PM
12:01 Parliament
12:05 Three DPJ/Government Executive Meeting
01:02 Lower House Plenary Session
01:06 Office
01:53 Parliament
02:01 Upper House Plenary Session
03:29 Three DPJ/Government Executive Meeting
03:57 Office
05:00 Mr. Edano, Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry; Mr. Fujimura, Chief Cabinet Secretary; Mr. Saito, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary; Mr. Fukano, Director-General of the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency
05:24 Mr. Kyoichi Shimazu, Mr. Jo Nakano, and Mr. Takashi Shiroi, DPJ Lower House members
05:56 Mr. Yukio Hatoyama, former Prime Minister
06:26 Mr. Hatoyama leaves
07:23 Mr. Okada, Deputy Prime Minister
07:38 Mr. Okada leaves
07:39 Mr. Tezuka, Special Advisor to PM
08:28 Residence

June 16, 2012 (SAT)

AM
10:04 Office
10:15 Mr. Issei Nishikawa, Governor of Fukui Prefecture; Mr. Hirano, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology; Mr. Edano, Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry; Mr. Hosono, Minister of State for the Nuclear Power Policy and Administration; Mr. Fujimura; Mr. Saito; and Mr. Sengoku, Deputy Chief of DPJ Policy Research Council
10:57 Meeting among Four Ministers on the Issue of Nuclear Power Stations; Mr. Saito and Mr. Sengoku attend
11:34 Mr. Saito, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary

PM
12:31 Residence

June 17, 2012 (SUN)

AM
Residence

PM
05:40 Press interview
05:49 Saudi Arabian Embassy, Roppongi, Tokyo. Pay the condolence for Prince Nayef
06:17 Haneda Airport
06:44 Leave for Mexico to attend G20 summit meeting

Local Time June 17

PM
Arrive at Los Cabos International Airport.
Courtesy call from Mr. Koga, President of the Japan Trade Union Confederation at Hotel Secrets Marquis.
Meeting with President Calderon of Mexico at Hotel Fiesta Americana
Stay in Hotel Secrets Marquis

Local Time June 18

AM
Meeting with President Yudhoyono of Indonesia at Hotel Sheraton

PM
Meeting with President Putin of Russia at Hotel Ventanas.
Press interview at Hotel Melia Cabo Real.
Talk while standing with President Obama at the convention center
G20 Summit meeting.
Working dinner.
Leave Los Cabos International Airport
Arrive at Los Angeles International Airport for refueling

Local time June 19 at Los Angeles

AM
Leave Los Angeles for Japan

June 20, 2012 (WED)

AM
06:23 Arrive at Haneda Airport
07:03 Residence
07:54 Mr. Fujimura, Chief Cabinet Secretary
08:35 Mr. Okada, Deputy Prime Minister; Mr. Koshiishi, DPJ Secretary General; M.r Tarutoko, DPJ Deputy Secretary General
09:16 Mr. Koshiishi and Mr. Tarutoko leave
09:18 Mr. Okada leaves
10:00 Office
10:04 Three DPJ/Government Executive Meeting
10:25 Mr. Okada, Deputy Prime Minister
11:24 Imperial Palace. Return Report.
11:38 Office
11:50 Mr. Tanaka and Mr. Naoshima, DPJ Vice President
11:59 Both leave

PM
01:32 Mr. Tarutoko, DPJ Deputy Secretary general
01:57 Mr. Tarutoko leaves
04:35 Mr. Jimi, President of the People’s New Party (Kokumin Shinto); and Mr. Shimoji, Secretary-General of the People’s New Party
04:44 Ruling party leaders’ meeting with Mr. Jimi. Mr. Koshiishi and Mr. Shimoji attend.
05:02 Kensei Kaikan Hall, reception of DPJ members.
08:00 Mr. Koshiishi; Mr. Tarutoko; Mr. Jojima, DPJ Parliamentary Affairs Chief
08:35 Office
08:37 Mr. Okada, Deputy Prime Minister
09:03 Residence

June 21, 2012 (THU)

AM
09:22 Office
09:24 Mr. Morimoto, Minister of Defense
09:28 Mr. Nagashima, Special Advisor to PM, joins
09:48 Both leave
10:34 Mr. Saito, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary
11:38 Mr. Saito leaves

PM
12:04 Mr. Okada, Deputy Prime Minister
12:56 Parliament
01:04 Lower House Plenary Session
01:22 Office
01:57 Mr. Takashi Shinohara, DPJ Lower House member; Mr. Honda, Special Advisor to PM, attends.
02:15 Both leave
03:57 Mr. Maehara, DPJ Policy Council Chief
04:48 Mr. Taketoshi, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary
05:00 Mr. Kitamura, Head of Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office
05:21 Mr. Kitamura leaves
06:30 Mr. Tezuka, Special Advisor to PM
07:18 Residence

June 22, 2012 (FRI)

AM
09:32 Office
09:46 Ministerial meeting
10:21 Mr. Akimoto Nagatsuma, former Minister of Health, Labour, and Welfare
10:44 Mr. Okada, Deputy Prime Minister
11:09 Mr. Okada leaves
11:59 Mr. Koshiishi, DPJ Secretary General

PM
12:38 Mr. Koshiishi Leaves
02:22 Mr. Michihiko Kano, former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery
02:49 Mr. Sugiyama, Director-General of Asia and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, Ministry for Foreign Affairs
03:11 Mr. Sugiyama leaves
04:00 Mr. Takashi Onishi, Professor of Tokyo University, and Chair of Frontier Subcommittee of National Policy Unit; Mr. Furukawa, Minister of State for National Policy
04:31 Mr. Furukawa leaves
04:37 Mr. Onishi leaves
04:52 Ministerial Council on the Promotion of Economic Revival through Women's Active Participation
05:32 Meeting with the Prime Minister on Gender Equality
05:46 Joint Meeting of the Electricity Supply-Demand Review Meeting and the Energy and Environment Council
06:08 Ministerial Council on Monthly Economic Report and Other Relative Issues
06:30 Mr. Tezuka, Special Advisor to PM
06:57 Residence

June 23, 2012 (SAT)

AM
07:38 Haneda Airport
08:08 Leave Haneda on ANA Flight 125. Mr. Saito and Mr. Taketoshi, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, accompany
10:19 Arrive at Naha Airport, Okinawa; Mr. Kanetoshi Yoseda, Deputy Governor of Okinawa, greets
11:14 Okinawa Peace Memorial Park. Pay Flower Tribute at the National Cemetery. Governor Nakaima of Okinawa accompanies.
11:22 Okinawa Peace Memorial Hall in the park. Offer a prayer.
11:51 Attend the Okinawa war dead memorial ceremony. Pay follower tribute. Remarks.

PM
12:53 Press interview in the park
01:29 Harbor View Hotel Crown Plaza, Naha City
01:30 Mr. Saito, Mr. Taketoshi, Deputy Cabinet Secretary Chiefs; and Mr. Nagashima, Special Advisor to PM
02:40 Japan Coast Guard 11th district headquarters
03:06 On board of a patrol boat the “Kyuryu”. Give a speech.
04:10 Naha Airport
04:22 Governor Nakaima
04:48 Leave Naha Airport on ANA Flight 132
06:51 Arrive at Haneda Airport
07:31 Residence

June 24, 2012 (SUN)

AM
Residence

PM
Residence

Undermining National Honor

Ryoichi Sasakawa
father of Yohei and
founder of Nippon Foundation

Over the past few months, the Government of Japan has pursued a policy of denying that Imperial Japan's military was involved in the development and management of the Comfort Women system throughout their Empire. This effort has surprised and angered American officials. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, an ardent advocate of women's rights, has asked her staff to call the Comfort Women what they were: "sex slaves."

Although the 1993 Kono Statement, which is put forth as the semi-official Japanese Government apology to the Comfort Women, clearly notes government involvement, the Administration of Prime Minister Noda appears to be disputing its conclusion. Noda's government is anxious about recent Korean and Korean American efforts to honor the Comfort Women and to elevate the issue as an example of Japan's amoral nature.

Further, many members of Japan's private sector believe that the Kono Statement was inaccurate and the Comfort Women were merely paid prostitutes. The subject is a prominent advocacy issue for leading conservative organizations in Japan such as Nippon Kaigi (Japan Conference).

In late June, the head of Japan's largest and most powerful group of foundations, Yohei Sasakawa, issued an op ed in the Sankei Shimbun condemning the Kono Statement and urging his peers to speak out against the Comfort Women. The Sasakawa family of foundations includes, the Nippon Foundation, Tokyo Foundation, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, US-Japan Foundation, Ocean Policy Research Foundation, and Shipbuilding Foundation. These foundations are the major, if not the sole funders of American researchers and think tanks that work on Japan issues. The op ed is a warning to them.

Below we provide a provisional translation for the scholarly community. We welcome suggestions to improve it.

A Sound Argument: Be Sensitive to National Honor and Dignity

By Nippon Foundation President, Yohei Sasakawa

Sankei Shimbun, June 21, 2012
Japanese tend to consider being reserved in expressing an opinion a desirable quality. This comes from their traditional spirit that respects harmony. I think this is a great virtue of the Japanese culture. But weak self-assertiveness is becoming one of the biggest obstacles to Japan for its international relations.

The Comfort Women issue between Japan and Korea poses one such example. Japan’s arguments are frustratingly weak against Korea’s aggressive assertions about the Comfort Women. History issues form the basis of a country. Future generation will have to carry the Comfort Women issue as a “negative legacy” if we do nothing today. Japan did not abandon its national dignity when it lost World War II. The Japanese government and politicians must be more sensitive to our national honor and dignity. They must say what they have to say. Such an attitude is what will lead to Japan-Korea friendship.

History Issues Form the Basis of a Country

Korean residents that occupy more than half of the population in Palisades Park, New Jersey built a monument commemorating comfort women tragedy. About the same time, a similar monument appeared on the street right in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul. President Lee Myung-bak mentioned at a meeting with Prime Minister Noda that Japan had to prioritize the Comfort Women issue. President Lee said, “Japanese will see second, third, and more monuments if Japan does not take any sincere measures.” This can be considered “blackmail.”

Last month, Japanese consulate-general in New York and four Japanese Diet members visited Palisades Park and asked the city mayor to remove the monument. The mayor denied their request. The Korean media reported “Japan’s huge embarrassment.” Twenty-two other U.S. cities have movements to build a similar monument.

The monument in the U.S. states, “the Japanese Imperial military abducted 200,000 women and girls and forced them to serve as Comfort Women.” Prime Minister Noda answered a question in an Upper House Budget Committee that this “is far from the truth.” If the Japanese ignore this issue, it might become a historical fact. Correct history does not derive from an awkward relationship in which one makes an assertion and the other keeps silence.

When the U.S. House International Relations Committee adopted the resolution condemning Japan in the summer of 2007, I visited Senator Daniel Inouye’s office in Washington, DC. Senator Inouye opposed the resolution as a Senator. He pointed out that the Chinese and Korean public and private entities conducted public relations campaigns to influence American lawmakers and media. He said, “Japan is too quiet. Silence is not a good strategy in the United States.” There is also a massive Korean campaign requesting a change from “Sea of Japan” to “East Sea.”

Non-Existence of Public Diplomacy

When I visit foreign countries, there were many occasions where the heads of states told me that Japan’s public diplomacy is non-existent and that “Japan’s face is invisible.” Even if this is not the case, the Japan-Korea relationship remains particularly difficult. Japan’s overly apologetic feelings and unnecessary thoughtfulness toward the counterpart have partially contributed to the awkward Japan-Korea relationship. President Lee’s comments seem to be an unwilling choice forced by an increasing anti-Japan sentiment rather than a strategy to regain his approval rating

The first cause of this situation can be attributed to 1993 Kono Danwa (Statement). Yohei Kono served as Chief Cabinet Secretary under the Miyazawa administration. In the statement, Kono admitted to the use of force by the Japanese imperial military despite the lack of direct evidence from 230 official documents collected by the Japanese government. The statement shook the Japanese position that Japan had settled the compensation and reparation issues with the 1965 Japan-Korea Basic Relations Treaty.

After the Kono Danwa, the Koreans escalated their demands. The Japanese government repeated an apology and made repentance when there were opportunities. Even after DPJ came to power, they repeated the same mistake. DPJ ministers said such things as, “it is important for each side to exercise wisdom and overcome issues step-by-step” or “many foreigners would hold Japan credible if we tackle on the Comfort Women and post-war compensation issue.”

President Lee used the phrase “strong ties between the two countries” at the summit meeting in Beijing this May. However, we cannot have a meaningful Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) or General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) without clarifying the history issue. I also think that sticking to the “past with Japan” does not give Korea a positive prospect: now that Korea has grown into an economic giant.

The Koreans use the Comfort Women issue as a political weapon, on and off like a whale’s blowhole. It prevented the two countries from building mutual trust. The international community also closely watches how the two countries will solve this issue. Both countries must have a transparent, honest dialogue. If the Kono Danwa lacks verification, Japan should retract it without fear. If Japan would like to request the removal of the monuments, it should do so without reservation. Also, Japan should emphasize more its contribution to Korea’s economic development after the war.

Time for Japan to Step Forward

Repeating wishful thinking and speaking without a concrete strategy will fuel Korea’s anti-Japan sentiment. Besides, Japanese antipathy against Korea will deepen behind the boom of Korean culture in Japan. The relationship with neighboring countries should not be a house of cards.

This is the time for Japan to step up. Because the history issues form the basis of a country, Japan should articulate with national dignity its views and arguments. Otherwise, both sides will not find any compromise, and situation will remain the same. I hope the politicians will have courage and determination on this issue.