Yunnan Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries

"The young people of China and Japan are the generation that can overcome the historical problems between us and create the future." On November 19, former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama accepted an interview with China Youth Daily·China Youth at the 2024 China International Sister Cities Conference An online reporter said in an interview that young people are the hope for Sino-Japanese relations. The young generation should not only learn and reflect on the history of the two countries through educational and cultural exchanges, but also find new ways to improve bilateral relations when facing practical challenges. possibility.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama was interviewed by reporters from China Youth Daily and China Youth Daily. Photographed by Zeng Zhaojue

Talking about the relations between China and Japan, Yukio Hatoyama believes that in recent years, Japan has emphasized deepening its strategic and mutually beneficial relationship with China on the one hand, but on the other hand, it has emphasized the "strategic challenges" posed by China in its national security policy. The "China threat theory" is not uncommon in Japan. This dual attitude not only makes Japan suspicious of China, but also intensifies China's distrust of Japan. Only by embodying strategic reciprocity through practical actions can mutual suspicion between the two sides be overcome. If words and deeds are inconsistent, it will hinder the healthy development of China-Japan relations.

"If Japan wants to develop stable Sino-Japanese relations, it must completely seal the 'China threat theory.'" Yukio Hatoyama emphasized that friendly relations are not limited to people-to-people, city-to-city, or country-to-country. Easily obtained. The relationship begins with communication, but it is only through continued communication that trust builds and develops into a true friendship. If you only make friends with like-minded interests and exclude or criticize those who disagree, it will only deepen the divisions in the world.

Regarding how to strengthen Sino-Japanese friendly relations, Yukio Hatoyama pointed out that "friendly relations require a spirit of love, that is, 'friendship.'" He emphasized that trust can only be achieved on the basis of mutual respect, mutual understanding, and mutual help. Friendships can truly take root and continue to grow. In the face of today's increasingly complex international relations, he called on leaders of various countries to increase face-to-face exchanges, engage in candid and constructive dialogue, and work together to build a "bridge of friendship."

This call is not unfounded. Yukio Hatoyama revealed that in October 2024, Japan elected a new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, while former U.S. President Trump was successfully re-elected. In this context, Ishiba plans to hold a Japan-US summit meeting with the US President.

Not long ago, when Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba delivered a policy speech in the Diet, he stated that he would continue to advance the strategic and mutually beneficial relationship with China and promote communication and exchanges between the two countries at all levels. On October 10, Ishiba Shigeru held talks with Chinese leaders for the first time after taking office as Prime Minister. He pointed out during the meeting, "Currently, Japan and China are moving forward in the direction of comprehensively advancing the strategic and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries and striving to build a constructive and stable bilateral relationship."

Positioning Sino-Japanese relations as "comprehensive promotion of a strategic and mutually beneficial relationship" is an important consensus reached by the Chinese and Japanese governments during Fumio Kishida's administration. Today, Ishiba and members of his cabinet continue to use this expression. Some analysts believe that this not only shows that the new cabinet has inherited the ideas of Fumio Kishida’s cabinet on foreign policy toward China, but also sends a positive signal for stabilizing and developing relations between the two countries.

Faced with the current complex and ever-changing international situation, Yukio Hatoyama proposed a longer-term goal. He pointed out: "No matter how the situation develops, the fire of conflict must not be introduced into East Asia." He advocated the promotion of the concept of "making East Asia a region full of mutual respect and friendship" and hoped that this concept can contribute to regional peace. Create more possibilities with collaboration.

In addition, when talking about future cooperation between China and Japan, Yukio Hatoyama particularly emphasized his concern for the younger generation. He told reporters from China Youth Daily and China Youth Daily that exchanges in education and sports are important ways to bring the two peoples closer. He suggested that "ping pong diplomacy" should be used to create more opportunities for face-to-face communication between primary, secondary and university students in the two countries, so as to enhance intimacy and build trusting relationships. In addition to sports exchanges, the two countries can also strengthen cooperation in the cultural field, such as calligraphy and painting exchanges.

Yukio Hatoyama said, "Japan and China have similarities in artistic traditions, but also have their own characteristics. Both sides should further deepen the understanding and friendship between the two countries through cultural interaction."