Transcript of South China Morning Post interview with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida

Q: What measures is Japan taking to relieve the diplomatic and military tensions between the two countries? In return, what gestures would you like to see from China?

A: It indeed serves no-one’s interest – neither Japan’s nor China’s interest – nor the interest of any other “relevant country” to have an accidental incident between the two countries. Therefore, I believe it is necessary to reduce unnecessary misunderstanding and friction, and it is also important to conduct a candid exchange of views to build mutual understanding and trust between the two countries. To avoid unintended contingencies, we believe that during Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s first term of administration, at the Japan-China summit we agreed in principle to establish a communication mechanism of defence between the two countries, to be more precise, Japan and China’s maritime defence communication mechanism. This is the concrete response we are making. But unfortunately, the Chinese side has not agreed to its implementation yet. We would like to approach the Chinese side so that they would agree to early implementation of this mechanism. Although the Japan-China relationship is in a difficult stage right now, it is important we must continue our candid exchange of views, so that various dialogues such as the maritime communication mechanism would lead to high-level political dialogue between the two countries. I hope that the Chinese side will respond from the same perspective to our call for dialogue.

Q: What are your most optimistic and most pessimistic estimates of how China-Japan relations will develop this year?

A: First of all, the bilateral relationship between the two countries is one of the most important bilateral relationships we have. China’s peaceful development is a great benefit and an opportunity, not only for Japan but the entire region and the international community. In view of Japan and China, we share important responsibilities for the peace and stability of the region and the international community, and relations are closer and more mutually dependent on each other than ever before. For example, China is Japan’s largest trading partner. Also, if you look at the number of Japanese companies operating in China, it is No 1 compared to other foreign companies operating in China. If you look at human exchanges, over five million people visit each other’s country every year. As well as exchange students, there are active exchanges between local cities between the two countries. As for your question about the most optimistic and most pessimistic scenarios [I could foresee], I feel it is inappropriate as Japan’s foreign minister to comment on the concrete scenarios of future relationships. As I mentioned earlier, the Japan-China relationship is one of the most important relationships we have. The relationship is very deep indeed and my job as foreign minister is to make progress on this relationship as far as possible. Therefore, I believe I want to make progress from a broad perspective to advance this mutually beneficial relationship based upon the common strategic interests between the two countries.

Q: There are suggestions among analysts in China and elsewhere that both Chinese and Japanese leaders should learn from Deng Xiaoping and Japanese leaders of his time who made the wise decision of setting aside the controversial issues and move forward [to forge] closer ties. On what occasions do you think a dialogue between China and Japan will be made possible? Have you seen any sign of willingness from China to improve ties?