[Government and Policy] [Information and Research] [News] [Papers]

~ 2001 ;  2002-2004 ;  2005 ; 2006 ; 2007

 Government and Policy 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs very useful site

Foreign Policy Page Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

House of Councilors (National Diet of Japan, Sangi-in)

House of Representatives (National Diet of Japan, Shugi-in)

The Constitution of Japan English translated version

Japan-China Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan

Overview - Japan-ASEAN Relations

Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations Japan's position on issues, Japan's Policy and Press Releases

Information and Research

NIRA (National Institute for Research Advancement, Japan)

Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA)

Japanese Journal Information Web

The National Security-Archive U.S.-Japan Project Papers on diplomatic, security, and economic relations between the U.S. and Japan

Japan Center for International Exchange (A nonprofit and non-governmental institution, Japan)

Japan Policy Research Institute (JPRI) U.S.-Japan relationship and its implications for the Pacific Rim

Japan Economic Institute of America (JEI) information on Japanese economy, politics, foreign policy and U.S.-Japan relations

Kyodo News Web

Japan Times

Japan Supports Taiwan’s Joining the World Health Organization
(DPA, Dec. 13, 2008) Taiwan's ruling party chief Wu Poh-hsiung returned home after visiting Japan to boost ties and achieving Tokyo's promise to back Taiwan joining the World Health Organization (WHO).

KMT Head Hopes to Work with Japan on Isles
(Reuters, Dec. 11, 2008) Taiwan hopes to avoid conflict with Japan over disputed islands in the East China Sea and believes the surrounding resources could be developed jointly, Taiwan’s ruling party chief said.

KMT Head Relays Call for Better Ties with Japan
(CNA, Dec. 9, 2008) Visiting KMT Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung paid a visit to Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara at the Tokyo City Hall and relayed President Ma Ying-jeou’s call for better ties between the two countries.

China Dismisses Japan Protest
(AFP, Dec. 9, 2008) China has dismissed a Japanese protest over two Chinese ships that entered what Tokyo considers its waters, with Beijing reiterating its own territorial claims to the area, state media reported.

Taiwan Fishing Boat Detained at Miyako
(China Post, Nov. 17, 2008) The skipper, slightly injured, was detained at Miyako for questioning for two days. The Japanese settled the incident without allowing it to escalate, as did an earlier dispute last June.

Taiwan Slams ASDF Chief, Lauds His Dismissal
(Japan Times, Nov. 3, 2008) Taiwan's Foreign Ministry on Sunday panned comments made by the Air Self-Defense Force chief of staff but praised Japan for promptly sacking him after he said Japan was not an aggressor during World War II.

Japan and China Seek Stronger Ties, Set Up a Hotline
(Reuters, Oct. 24, 2008) Leaders from Japan and China agreed to set up a hotline to deepen trust and ties between Asia's two biggest economies and vowed to work together to help the global efforts to curb the financial crisis.

New Taiwan Envoy Upbeat on Japan Ties By Jun Hongo
(Japan Times, Oct. 26, 2008) As Taiwan's de facto ambassador to Japan, John Feng believes that strengthening ties between Tokyo and Taipei is vital to securing bilateral prosperity.

Tokyo’s Nexus with India Deepens By Purnendra Jain
(Asia Times, Oct. 25, 2008) Although the quadrilateral process is on the backburner, Japan's alliance with the United States and its new security ties, no matter how loose, with Australia and India sends the signal of a new security order in the region.

Japan, China Must Cooperate Over Crisis
(Editorial, Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 25, 2008) In tackling the global financial crisis and attempting to resolve bilateral problems, Japan and China must cooperate swiftly and visibly for their mutual benefit.

India, Japan Say New Security Ties Not Directed against China By Siddharth Varadarajan (Hindu, Oct. 23, 2008) What is likely to raise eyebrows around Asia is the fact that Japan considers India so crucial to its strategic calculus that it is only the third country — after the United States and Australia — with which it has signed such a document.

Aso Visit to Boost China-Japan Ties
(China Daily, Oct. 6, 2008) Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso is scheduled to visit China later this month. During his visit, Aso is expected to affirm former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's goal of improving relations with China.

President Expresses Hopes for Closer Ties with Tokyo
(Taipei Times, Sep. 24, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou expressed hopes for closer “special relations” between Taipei and Tokyo, adding that the words best described the current relations between the two countries, which his administration would seek to maintain.

Ties Sour but will Sweeten: Taiwan Speaker
(Kyodo, Aug. 27, 2008) Taiwan's relations with Japan have regressed since the Nationalist Party came to power, but they are likely to rebound, parliamentary speaker Wang Jin-pyng said in an interview.

KMT Vice Chair to Visit Japan as Presidential Messenger
(CNA, Aug. 25, 2008) Ruling KMT Vice Chairman Chiang Pin-kung is scheduled to visit Japan from today to Aug. 27 in another effort to give the assurance that Taiwan does not favor relations with China over its ties with Japan.

China Eclipses US as Japan’s Biggest Customer
(Telegraph, Aug. 21, 2008) China has replaced the US as Japan's biggest customer, underlining the emergence of the country in the global economy.

Ex-ambassador Designated as Representative to Japan
(China Post, Aug. 20, 2008) John C. T. Feng, former ambassador to the Dominican Republic, has been tapped to serve as Taiwan's new representative to Japan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said yesterday.

Taiwan’s Ma in Damage Control over Japan Ties
(Kyodo, Aug. 11, 2008) Japan’s increasing worries over Ma's attitude toward Tokyo and his handling of ties with rival China have prompted Ma to scramble, albeit quietly, for damage control before Taipei-Tokyo ties deteriorate beyond repair.

Taipei-Tokyo Ties not Affected by Cross-Strait Détente: President
(CNA, Aug. 5, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou said yesterday that cross-Taiwan Strait detente will not affect Taipei-Tokyo ties, as the situation will benefit the entire region, including Japan.

Ma’s Confidant May be New Japan Rep, Says Local Media
(Taiwan News, Jul. 29, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou has decided to appoint Japan expert Yang Yung-ming (Philip Yang) as Taiwan's new representative to Tokyo to mend ties in the wake of the Diaoyutai incident, reports said yesterday

Taiwan Official Bemoans Bad Japan Relations
(Kyodo, Jul. 23, 2008) A failure to maintain political ties and a lack of senior Japan-savvy Taiwanese envoys has caused "fault cracks" and misunderstandings to emerge in bilateral relations, ruling Nationalist Party Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung said Tuesday.

Taiwan’s China Thaw Good for Japan, Ma Says
(Kyodo, Jul. 22, 2008) A recent warming in relations between bitter rivals China and Taiwan "is significant for Japan," Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou said Monday while meeting with a delegation of Japanese lawmakers, officials and academics.

Japan Ties Could Cool, Says Former Rep
(CNA, Jul. 19, 2008) Taiwan-Japan relations could suffer as Taiwan's new government eagerly improves ties with China, Japan's former top representative to Taiwan said in an interview published yesterday.

Chinese Official Urges Japan to Support Mainland’s Eventual Political Unification with Taiwan (AP, Jun. 26, 2008) Japanese media reports quoted Wang Yi as saying the mainland would continue to refuse to allow Taiwan to formally join the World Health Organization, but might allow a separate framework to connect the island with the international health community.

Japan Apologizes over Taiwan Boat Incident
(AFP, Jun. 21, 2008) A Japanese envoy on Friday apologised to the captain of a Taiwanese fishing boat which sank after colliding with a Japanese patrol ship near disputed islets in the East China Sea.

Japanese Warship Leaves for First Visit to China: Official
(AFP, Jun. 19, 2008) A Japanese warship left on Thursday to visit China for the first time since World War II, an official said, amid a growing thaw in the often frigid ties between the Asian powers.

Japan, China Reach Deal on Undersea Gas Exploration
(AP, Jun. 18, 2008) Japan and China have agreed to jointly develop part of the gas deposits in the East China Sea, a major breakthrough in a long-standing dispute between the two countries, the Japanese government announced Wednesday.

Taiwan Wants Tiaoyutai Talks
(China Post, Jun. 18, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou agreed yesterday with Japanese Premier Yasuo Fukuda on rational, cool-headed handling of the Tiaoyutai crisis but demanded negotiations on fishing rights as well as sovereignty over the disputed islets in the East China Sea.

Japan Turns away Taiwan Boats in Sea Spat
(Reuters, Jun. 16, 2008) Japan on Monday turned back a Taiwan activist boat which approached a group of disputed islands in protest against a ship collision last week, the latest drama in a fast-escalating political dispute, officials said.

China and Japan ‘Near Gas Deal’
(BBC, Jun. 16, 2008) Japan and China are close to a deal that would ease a long-running dispute over gas fields in the East China Sea, reports from Japan say.

Taiwan Recalls Representative to Japan over Boat Incident
(AP, Jun. 15, 2008) Taiwan has recalled its envoy to Japan over Tokyo's handling of a ship collision in disputed waters earlier this week.

Taipei Reaffirms Sovereignty over Tiaoyutai Islands
(China Post, Jun. 13, 2008) Taiwan reaffirmed its sovereignty over the Tiaoyutai Islands for the first time in at least ten years yesterday, two full days after a 270-ton sports fishing boat sank in a collision with a Japanese maritime defense frigate over their waters.

Taiwan Presses Sovereignty over Disputed Island Chain
(AFP, Jun. 12, 2008) Taiwan pressed its sovereignty claims over a disputed island chain on Thursday as protesters demanded an apology from Japan for the sinking of a Taiwanese fishing boat there.

Taiwan, China Upset as Boat Collides with Japanese
(AFP, Jun. 10, 2008) A Taiwanese fishing boat sank after colliding with a Japanese patrol vessel off a disputed island chain, causing no serious injuries but triggering concern in Beijing and Taipei, officials said.

Japanese Warship to Visit China
(China Daily, Jun. 3, 2008) A Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force warship will visit China later this month as part of the mutual visits by the two navies. The missile destroyer, Takanami, will be the first Japanese warship making appearance in a Chinese harbor since the end of the World War II.

Japan Urges Transparency in China’s Defense Plans
(AFP, Jun. 1, 2008) Japan urged China on Saturday to be more transparent about its military capabilities and step up dialogue with its neighbors to enhance regional security.

Japan Decides Not to Use Military Craft to Aid China By Jim Yardley
(NYT, May 30, 2008) Japan on Thursday decided against using military aircraft to deliver aid to earthquake victims in China after Chinese officials reportedly expressed concerns about what would have been the first Japanese military deployment to China since the two countries were enemies during World War II.

Publics Still Cool as Japan, China Pursue Warm Ties
(Reuters, May 9, 2008) China and Japan agreed amid fanfare this week that friendly ties are vital, but a pair of pandas and ping-pong diplomacy aren't enough to erase the deep distrust that could yet derail the detente between the Asian rivals.

Japan and China Seek to Build Trust Despite Feuds
(Reuters, May 7, 2008) Offers of pandas and vows of friendship between China and Japan gave way to harder questions on Wednesday as leaders of the two Asian powers met in a rare summit intended to build mutual trust despite festering disputes.

Japan, South Korea Resume Summit Talks, Discuss North Korea, Bilateral Issues (AP, Apr. 21, 2008) Japan's prime minister and the South Korean president agreed to open "a new era" in relations between their countries as the two resumed regular summit talks after a dispute over a Tokyo war shrine.

Tibet an 'International Issue,' Japan PM Tells China
(AFP, Apr. 19, 2008) Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda bluntly told China that Tibetan unrest had become an international issue, contradicting Beijing's official line, and hinted it could hit the Olympics.

Lee Tells Paper He Would Like to be Adviser to Ma
(Taipei Times, Apr 5, 2008) Former president Lee Teng-hui has told a Japanese daily that he is interested in serving as an adviser to the new government on affairs concerning Taiwan-Japan relations.

Japanese Official Speaks of Potential Taiwan Alert
(AFP, Mar. 14, 2008) In a highly unusual remark for a Japanese official, Nobushige Takamizawa, director general of the Defense Ministry's defense policy bureau, said a contingency over Taiwan would be "a security matter for Japan."

China, Japan Agree to Strengthen Defense Cooperation
(Xinhau, Feb. 27, 2008) Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan and Japanese Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Office of the Self-Defense Force Saito Takashi agreed to strengthen defense cooperation between the two countries.

Dumpling Scare Should Not Harm Japan-China Ties: Ministers
(AFP, Feb. 11, 2008) A nationwide health scare in Japan over contaminated Chinese dumplings should not harm warming Sino-Japanese ties, the finance ministers of both countries agreed. China, which is Japan's largest trading partner, has pleaded with Tokyo not to jump to conclusions and said it was investigating the cause of the scare.

Japan Cautious on PRC Claims of Political Sabotage
(AFP, Feb. 8, 2008) A senior Chinese official said the frozen dumplings, which sickened at least 10 victims in Japan, may have been poisoned by people opposed to friendly ties between the two countries. But Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura said the Chinese side had "yet to reach a firm conclusion."

Japan Dumpling Poisoning 'May Be Deliberate'
(Reuters, Feb. 6, 2008) Japan's Health Minister said that China-made dumplings may have been deliberately poisoned with pesticide. The mystery of the poisoned dumplings is a delicate matter for sensitive Sino-Japanese ties and a domestic headache for Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.

Japan Warship Leaves Port to Resume Anti-Terror Mission in Indian Ocean (AP, Jan. 24, 2008) A Japanese navy destroyer departed to resume the country's anti-terrorism mission in the Indian Ocean after a divisive battle in parliament caused a three-month suspension. The ships' refueling mission, in support of U.S.-led forces patrolling the Indian Ocean, was to begin in two to three weeks.

Japan's Parliament Passes Anti-Terror Bill to Revive Indian Ocean Mission (AP, Jan. 11, 2008) Japan's ruling coalition forced a bill through parliament to revive a U.S.-backed anti-terror mission in the Indian Ocean, clearing the way for Japanese ships to return to the region after a months-long absence.

Chinese and Japanese Fighter Jets 'Faced Off in September'
(Straits Times, Jan. 3, 2007) Chinese bombers and Japanese fighters faced off without coming to blows above the East China Sea near disputed gas fields on two days in September, a Japanese newspaper reported.

Japan Concerned Over US Relations with China
(Telegraph, Dec. 23, 2008) Cooperation between the military forces of the United States and China in sweeps against pirates off Somalia is causing alarm and frustration in Tokyo.

Japan in ’65 Sought US Nuclear Shield Versus China By Tomoko A. Hosaka (AP, Dec. 22, 2008) Japan's longest-serving prime minister — a Nobel Peace laureate — asked the U.S. in 1965 to deploy nuclear weapons against China if war broke out between the Asian rivals, according to newly declassified government files obtained by Kyodo news agency.

Japan Concerned Over Taiwan’s Growing Ties with China By Julian Ryall (Telegraph, Dec. 9, 2008) Taiwan has moved to quell fears in Japan that it is turning its back on its former ally in favor of China, despite growing evidence that Taipei and Beijing have deepened both their economic and political ties.

WWII Apologists Persist Despite Japanese Policy By Blaine Harden
(Washington Post, Nov. 3, 2008) Once again, a Japanese official with nationalist sympathies -- in this case, the head of the air force -- has glossed over the Asian suffering caused by Japan during World War II.

Aso Has Dragons to Slay By Catherine Makino
(Inter Press Service, Sep. 26, 2008) Aso must also continue the work of mending relations with China, soured during the tenure of Junichiro Koizumi. This is not helped by the fact that he once described Japan's giant neighbor as a ''major threat.''

China’s Military Buildup Must be Closely Watched
(Editorial, Yomiuri Shimbun, Sep. 14, 2008) The 2008 defense white paper, released earlier this month, expresses concern over the effects that China's military buildup will have on the regional state of affairs and the security situation of Japan.

Likely New Japan PM Vows to Bolster China Ties By Eric Talmadge
(AP, Sep. 12, 2008) Taro Aso, seen as the most likely candidate to replace Japan's prime minister, said Friday he believes good relations with China are an important part of Japanese foreign policy and shrugged off criticism that he is too hawkish.

The East China Sea Dispute after Fukuda: Calmer Waters? By Shin Shoji (China Brief, Jamestown Foundation, Sep. 3, 2008) While Ma Ying-jeou must reassess its Japan policy to place greater weight on national security and regional stability over emotions, the ongoing political hurricane in Tokyo will make Ma’s job exceedingly difficult in the near term.

China Sees Japan Ties Steady Post-Fukuda, Say Experts By Chris Buckley (Reuters, Sep. 2, 2008) China and Japan will stay focused on improving long-strained ties after the departure of Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, even if conservative Taro Aso succeeds him, Chinese experts said.

Japan Asks China to Make Progress on Joint Gas Development Deal By Dune Lawrence (Bloomberg, Aug. 18, 2008) Japan's Foreign Minister concluded a three-day visit to Beijing today after calling on China to move to the “next stage” on an agreement to jointly develop gas fields in the East China Sea.

Japan PM Skips War Shrine; Rightist Agenda Wanes By Joseph Coleman (AP, Aug. 16, 2008)  Japan's nationalists were out in force at a war shrine Friday to mark the anniversary of Tokyo's World War II surrender, but one key player was missing: the prime minister.

What is a “Normal” Japan? Implications for Sino-Japanese Relations By Hiro Katsumata and Mingjiang Li (China Brief, Jamestown Foundation, Aug. 1, 2008) The notion of a so-called “normal Japan” has been central to the debate over the country’s security policy. The Japanese normalization discourse and its active international security policy have put China on the alert.

Revamping Relations with Japan By Tsai Zheng-jia
(Taipei Times, Jul. 25, 2008) Taiwan’s Japan policy should focus on resolving the conflicting interests between the two countries and the reliance on “Japan experts” should end. From now on, pragmatism should replace the old pro-Japan orientation.

Taiwan’s President Moves toward Looser Japan, U.S. Ties By Jonathan Manthorpe (Vancouver Sun, Jul. 21, 2008) An unforeseen effect of the coming to power in Taiwan in May of president Ma Ying-jeou and the Kuomintang party is an apparent loosening of relations with Japan and the United States, traditionally the two guarantors of the island's independence.

Hu, Fukuda Warm China-Japan Ties, Shifting Strategic Balance By Dune Lawrence and Bradley K. Martin (Bloomberg, Jul. 7, 2008) The developing relationship between Asia's largest economies has implications for their neighbors and around the world. Reassuring Asian nations that China's rise needn't pose a security threat might also call into question the need for a U.S. counterweight.

Taiwan Steps Back from Japan/Lack of Pro-Japan Officials Blamed for Ma Administration Trend By Toshinao Ishii (Yomiuri Shimbun, Jun. 28, 2008) Ma is keen to conclude a free trade agreement and a fishing treaty with Japan, and also wants to expand student-exchange programs. For its part, Japan should expeditiously nurture ties with pro-Japan Taiwanese and provide more help to Taiwan, which hopes to become a member of various international organizations.

Japan, China Differ Over Military Exchange By Toshimitsu Ishima and Chikara Shima (Yomiuri Shimbun, Jun. 26, 2008) Political observers say that by playing host to the Sazanami, Beijing hopes to give the impression of being forward-looking vis-a-vis information disclosure. The Japanese side is hopeful the defense exchanges will help prevent an escalation of conflict with China if an unpredicted incident occurs in the East China Sea.

Japanese Warship Visits Chinese Port By Howard W. French
(New York Times, Jun. 25, 2008) The visit of the 4,650-ton destroyer Sazanami, which was billed as an earthquake relief mission, is being seen by many military and diplomatic analysts as part of a broad and gradual reconciliation between the two countries.

Wrong Reaction to Boat Collision By Lai I-chung
(Taipei Times, Jun. 22, 2008) Taipei’s reaction has upset the balance of relations between Taiwan and the US, Japan and China and will have ramifications for security in East Asia after the Beijing Olympics in August.

Taiwan Should Step Back from Collision Now
(Editorial, Yomiuri Shimbun, Jun. 18, 2008) Taiwan's reaction to last week's collision between a Taiwanese fishing boat and a Japan Coast Guard vessel has left a nasty taste in the mouth. We wonder if Taipei's warming ties with Beijing have extended to shared anti-Japanese feelings.

Taiwan-China Thaw Overshadows Deep Taiwan-Japan Ties By Jason Miks (World Politics Review, Jun. 5, 2008) China appears determined to capitalize on the new mood since incoming Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou took office last month. However, it is not just China that is likely to welcome a reduction in cross-Straits tensions, but also one of Taiwan's closest allies: Japan.

SDF Dispatch to China a Historic Step Not Taken
(Editorial, Yomiuri Shimbun, May 31, 2008) It is unfortunate to see that the Japanese government has shelved its plan to dispatch Air Self-Defense Force C-130 transport airplanes to China to carry relief supplies to earthquake victims in Sichuan Province. But the current situation made the decision inevitable.

Japan Fears Marginalization as US Turns to China By Joseph Nye
(Taipei Times, May 17, 2008) Many analysts currently detect malaise in Japan about its alliance with the US. Some of this relates to North Korea’s nuclear weapons and a concern that the US will not adequately represent Japan’s interests. Other issues concern the basing of US marines in Okinawa and sharing the costs of moving some to Guam. There is a deeper level of concern, however, which relates to Japan’s fear of being marginalized as the US turns toward a rising China.

Was the Hu Japan Visit the Start of Better Ties? By Tsai Zheng-jia
(Taipei Times, May 16, 2008) Chinese President Hu Jintao’s five-day “spring warmth” visit to Japan was just such a facelift to the always tense Sino-Japanese relationship. He did not seek resolutions to fundamental problems or existing obstacles in the relationship. Rather, the two countries merely signed their fourth communique on a strategic partnership, pretending that all is well, while in reality the relationship remains turbulent and filled with controversy.

On Visit to Japan, China's Hu Has No Time for Old Grudges (Washington Post, May 9, 2008) The two economic giants of Asia courted each other this week during a five-day visit to Japan by Chinese President Hu Jintao that played down wartime grudges and played up pragmatic cooperation.

In His Visit to Japan, China Leader Seeks Amity
(New York Times, May 8, 2008) The leaders of China and Japan pledged Wednesday to make their nations partners instead of rivals as the Chinese president, Hu Jintao, began a good-will mission to Tokyo aimed at improving often tense relations between the Asian powers.

China's Hu Heads to Japan Seeking Trust and Respect
(Reuters, May 2, 2008) Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Japan next week will be about soothing fears, not sealing deals, as Asia's two biggest powers try to look past festering bilateral disputes and tensions over Tibet.

Ma Seen to Place Strong Emphasis on Japan Ties as Taiwan President (Kyodo News, Mar. 22, 2008) Taiwan's relations with Japan look ready to turn a corner now the island's main opposition Nationalist Party (KMT) candidate Ma Ying-jeou clinched the next presidency.