Japan-China Joint History Project

On November 16, Asahi Shimbun reported the following:

China accepted Japan's request to include the "Japanese postwar era" in themes for joint historical research carried out by experts from both countries, Japanese Foreign Ministry sources said Thursday.

Japan asked for the inclusion because it wants Chinese people to understand not only Japan's history of invasion into China before and during World War II, but also the "forward-looking aspects" of the postwar era, such as Japan's development as a peace-loving nation and its economic cooperation with China.

It was unclear if China's postwar era will also be a theme for the research.

Foreign Minister Taro Aso and his Chinese counterpart, Li Zhaoxing, confirmed in Hanoi Thursday that the two countries will hold the first meeting of the committee for the joint historical research next month, the sources said.

Japan and China agreed on the joint research project in October when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited China. It will be the second such project for Japan, following one with South Korea.

The projects are intended to reach an understanding--from an objective point of view--about Japan's history with its neighbors.

A total of 20 experts--10 each from Japan and China--are expected to take part in the committee.

The committee will consist of two subcommittees. One will focus on history from ancient times to the medieval era while the other will study the modern period, including the postwar era.

One possible candidate from the Japanese side to chair the committee is Shinichi Kitaoka, professor of political science at the University of Tokyo, who was Japan's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations until last month.

According to the sources, Japan asked China to include the postwar eras of both countries in the themes of the research. However, China was hesitant, citing confusion over the 1966-76 Cultural Revolution, the sources said.

Japan insisted that the contents of the joint historical research should be as objective as possible to help deepen mutual understandings between the two countries.

China then agreed to include Japan's postwar era as a theme for the joint research.(IHT/Asahi: November 16,2006)