Cold political relations between Japan and China has happened since long time ago. This
thing causes tense that not only impact both of them, but also other Asia countries. In
order to go deep into political relations between Japan and China, International Relations
Department of Faculty of Social and Political Sciences Universitas Indonesia (FISIP UI)
held a public lecture to discuss this thing.
Public lecture that was held last Wednesday, September 7 th 2016 at room N2.101 of
Nusantara Building, FISIP UI was attended by Prof. Go Ito, lecturer of Meiji University,
Japan.
Public lecture started by explanation about the reason behind why Japan has quite bad
relationship with China. Prof. Go Ito said that Japan thought that there has been coercive
unilateral relationship that has been done by Government of China, especially on their
policy about South China Sea polemic.
Behavior of Chinese tourist that is quite bad while they were in Japan was also one of the
reason. Meanwhile, China thought that Japan has no reflection on relationship history
between them and has willingness to see the falling of China.
This condition getting worse by two perception on each other. Japan thought that China
dislike them due to security agreement that was considered bring disadvantage for China.
Meanwhile, China thought that Japan dislike them because they were jealous with China
growth as one of superpower countries in the world. This misperception between them
makes relationship between them are getting worse.
However, their cold relationship should be properly addressed and improved. The
geographical position of both countries that are neighbors is one of the important reason.
Prof. Go. Ita said that trust between the two countries should be tightened by removing
misperception between them for sure. Thus, Japan and China will be getting along as the
third and second biggest economy in the world.
Prof. Go Ito is one of the well-known Japanese expert on US-China- Japan relationship and
international relations as well. As Associate Professor in International Relations
Department at Meiji University and Research Fellow in International Relations Forum
Japan, Prof. Go Ito has significant influence on research and decision making in Asia.
Various recognitions in domestic or international level are often acquired. During his
research, he frequently meets decision maker, analyze, AS federal agencies researcher,
think tank institution, university, and newspaper in order to sharing ideas and broaden his
knowledge on this issue.
