Japan and China, separated only by a thin stretch of sea, are neighboring countries that share a close relationship, which has seen each exert various forms of influence on the other from ancient times to the present. Economically and socially, Japan and China are deeply interconnected with and important to each other, but they are also regional rivals in the realms of politics and security. The trends in this relationship hold substantial implications for the Indo-Pacific region.
The importance of Japan-China relations is not confined to Asia. With China’s advent as a great power, the world is confronted with an array of challenges in dealing with China, including security tensions and weaponization of economic interdependence. Given its geographical and historical proximity, Japan has encountered and dealt with these issues since earlier than the countries of the West. In this sense, Japan can be regarded as a forerunner in dealing with challenges concerning China.
The Japan-China relationship has experienced periods of both amity and contention. On the whole, from the 1970s until the early 1990s, friendly ties between Japan and China were prominent. While a variety of issues arose, these were dealt with adequately. However, from the late 1990s, the relationship gradually became more unstable, and since 2012, it has been largely characterized by a state of affairs in which security tensions form the underlying tone, even as efforts are made to seek stability.
This article will examine the primary factors influencing Japan-China relations, the trajectory along which these relations have unfolded, the strategies Japan has adopted in its approach toward China, and the current challenges that need to be addressed.
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The views, conclusions and recommendations expressed in this report are solely those of its author(s) and do not reflect the view of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, or its employees.