Press conference report / June 28, 2006

Mr. Yasushi Kudo, the main organizer of Tokyo-Beijing Forum started the press conference by confirming the mission of the event, “A friendly exchange of opinions that all ends nicely and superficially is not what we aim for. Rather, we want to create an ambit where Chinese and Japanese can talk honestly, even the delicate matters, while respecting each other’s differences. That’s what good friends do. For that, we came up with an idea of having a ten-year forum where various issues are discussed candidly and each forum sets objectives for the future of our relationship”

Mr. Jie Zhou, Vice President of China Daily Website added, “It’s important to have a communication channel that is for the people and by the people when the diplomatic relationship between the two governments seems distant. The forums will help to create a platform for developing dialogue among people in order to reach equilibrium on the views of each other.”

Professor Takashi Shiraishi from National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) commented the uniqueness of this forum that makes it stand out from the other events in the past. In order to reflect the public opinion, public polls are to be conducted in each country and the results will be examined at a special session every year. “In this respect, we try to find ways to deepen the trust-based relationship among the people in both countries.” he added.

Mr. Takashi Anzai, President of Seven Bank, Ltd. and Mr. Mindao Yuan, Vice Secretary at the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries also expressed their enthusiasm for the forum and supported Prof. Shiraishi’s remark. Mr. Anzai and Mr. Yuan respectively commented, “ Removing misunderstandings among each other through open and candid discussions, we can further our long-lasting friendship,” and “This forum will become a milestone for our relationship."

During the Q&A session, one reporter asked how the organizers feel about having this event in August, a month that especially carries political weight. August 15th marks the anniversary of the end of the World War II, which often brings ambivalent feelings to many Chinese and Japanese. In addition, visit to Tokyo’s Yasukuni shrine in August by the Japan’s prime minister (aka Yasukuni issue) only heightens the tension between the two nations around the issues of the war. Prof. Shiraishi responded by commenting, “Instead of reacting to the current political climate, we would like to approach the issue by taking a step back first and giving ourselves a broader viewpoint. Moreover, the issue is a concern not just between the two nations, and it needs to be re-examined and discussed in relation to the role that the China-Japan relationship plays in the international community. By doing so, we are hopeful that we will be able to give a new and different perspective on this matter.” Mr. Yuan also responded, “The history cannot be ignored particularly when we talk about our relationship, however; the focus on this forum is not on this subject alone. We want to look at it in the context of concerns that lie between the two nations.”

Later on, a Chinese reporter asked Mr. Kudo how extensive the media coverage was received in Japan on the last year’s forum. “There was a good amount of coverage done by the Japanese media. However, what and how it reported remained insufficient, I feel. The media tends to report only the matters related to Yasukuni issue with a one-sided view; there should be more diversified coverage on various issues and viewpoints on the China-Japan relationship. The media’s role in both countries needs to be examined.”

The press conference was attended by around 25 news reporters from both countries.

( report by O. Kozutsumi)