Arab News Japan

TOKYO: HATOYAMA Yukio, Japan’s Prime Minister from 2009 to 2010, met Chinese Ambassador Wu Jianghao on Thursday to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the peace and friendship treaty between the two countries enacted in 1978.

Hatoyama stated that Taiwan is an integral part of China and Taiwan affairs should be handled by China.

Thursday’s meeting, which took place in the House of Representatives, focused on the points of agreement between the two countries rather than on the still very numerous points of divergence such as territorial issues and human rights.

Hatoyama, stressed that he stands in solidarity with China over the recent floods that hit the country and that Japan should collaborate with China to reduce carbon emissions.

The friendship treaty has its origins in a joint declaration between Japan and China in 1972, under which Japan recognized only one China and broke off its diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

The Chinese ambassador said he was motivated the efforts of rapprochement between the two countries and hopes tensions can be eased through peaceful means.

To illustrate the rapprochement between the two nations and bring to life a peaceful spirit, a Chinese amateur theater troupe performed, as well as a staging of traditional singers and musicians. There was also a graphic reproduction of the meeting between the Chinese monk Jianzhen (Ganjin) and a Japanese diplomat. Ganjin was a Chinese monk who introduced Buddhism to Japan during the Nara period.