International Relations of the Asia-Pacific Advance Access originally published online on July 17, 2009
International Relations of the Asia-Pacific 2009 9(3):469-496; doi:10.1093/irap/lcp007
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China, Japan, and East Asian regional cooperation: the views of ‘self’ and ‘other’ from Beijing and Tokyo
Global Institute for Asian Regional Integration, Waseda University, 1-21-1 Nishi-Waseda, Bldg. No. 19, 508, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0051, Japan
Email: chwirth{at}gmail.com
China–Japan relations are frequently analyzed either in the light of disputes about different interpretations of history, the consequence of a strategic power shift in the Asia-Pacific resulting from the rise of China or as a conflict between Chinese and Japanese national identities. This paper argues that bilateral relations should be assessed on the basis of a comprehensive approach. It concludes that the current state of bilateral relations can be understood as the result of identity crises of the political systems in Beijing and Tokyo. Owing to the rapidly changing environment in East Asia and their inherent conservative natures, both political systems' perceptions and policies lag behind present realities. This renders it difficult for them to effectively address important domestic and international problems and consequently affects bilateral relations negatively as it complicates the accurate redefinition of the representation of ‘self’ and ‘other’ with regard to foreign relations.
Received for publication December 18, 2008. Accepted for publication June 22, 2009.