Aftermath of Contaminated Water Discharge... Chinese Government Avoids Even Pro-China Figures
Opposition Voices Calls to "Stop the Discharge"
As anti-Japanese sentiment intensifies in China over the issue of contaminated water discharge from Japan's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, Japanese media described China's reaction as "beyond imagination," expressing concerns that the strained relationship with China could be prolonged. Amid this, some opposition parties have even called for a complete halt to the discharge, raising the possibility of the issue escalating into domestic political conflict.
On the 29th, the Asahi Shimbun reported that after the discharge, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has been flooded with over 6,000 spam calls from China, among other damages, and that the opposition party leader who had maintained a pro-China stance canceled a planned visit to China. The article expressed concern that "China's political issues have exceeded Japan's expectations."
Asahi pointed out that the postponement of the visit to China by Komeito Party leader Yamaguchi Natsuo, who had long built relations with China through a pro-China policy, signaled that "the scenario to improve Sino-Japanese relations has collapsed." Since its founding, Komeito's chairman had proposed normalizing diplomatic relations between China and Japan, and many within the party take pride in acting as a bridge for Sino-Japanese diplomatic restoration. Yamaguchi was scheduled to visit China last November as part of party exchanges agreed upon during the Sino-Japanese summit.
He met with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on the 24th and received a letter of goodwill, planning to deliver it during his visit to China. However, on the 26th, China notified that the timing was inappropriate and postponed the meeting. It is known that the Japanese government had pinned hopes on Yamaguchi's visit as a clue to restoring relations.
With even pro-China figures being excluded, there is analysis that the summit between Prime Minister Kishida and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, scheduled for next month, will effectively be postponed. Asahi noted, "The scenario to resolve relations through Yamaguchi's visit and connect it to Sino-Japanese summit diplomacy at the international conference in September has suddenly collapsed," adding, "While US-China political dialogue is also resuming, Sino-Japanese relations have acquired a new barrier in the form of contaminated water."
Economic damage is also inevitable, not just diplomatic. Tokura Masakazu, chairman of Keidanren, expressed concern at a press conference in Sapporo the previous day about the boycott of Japanese cosmetics in China, saying, "It reminds me of the Senkaku Islands incident." This refers to the 2012 event when the Japanese government nationalized the Senkaku Islands, which are disputed territories with China, leading to attacks on Japanese brand cars and intense anti-Japanese protests across China.
In response, opposition parties including the Communist Party have voiced calls to completely stop the discharge of contaminated water and engage in consultations with the Chinese government. Koike Akira, secretary-general of the Communist Party, said at a press conference, "Gaining the understanding of neighboring countries is an important responsibility of the Japanese government, but so far the government has neglected diplomatic efforts," adding, "The responsibility to resolve the situation lies with the Japanese government. They must stop the marine discharge and negotiate with China to find a solution," urging a complete halt to the contaminated water discharge.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
