Yasukuni Shrine And Sino-Japan Relationship

Sino-Japan relationship is an essential factor for the peace and development of Asia and Pacific area and even of the world; however, the bilateral relationship did not develop smoothly during a long period. Through the efforts of two peoples, China and Japan have accomplished great achievements on corporation and communication in many fields, such as politics, economy, culture, etc. But in recent years, due to the problem of paying homage to the Yasukuni Shrine by Japanese Prime Ministers, a serious diplomatic friction occurred, which has seriously interfered with the normal progress of the bilateral relationship; even caused conflicting moods between two peoples. This thesis will take "paying homage to the Yasukuni Shrine" as a starting point and analyze the present situation of Sino-Japan relationship.Firstly this thesis gives a detailed introduction of the establishment, development and abolition of the Yasukuni Shrine.Secondly, this thesis analyzes the circumstances, under which Japanese Prime Ministers visited the Shrine. Special focus is put on the four visits by sitting Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi at the beginning of the new century in spite of protests from China and other Asian countries and it's political implications.Since the Yasukuni Shrine is closely connected with Sino-Japan relationship, this thesis also analyzes from three aspects how paying homage to Yasukuni Shrine affects the bilateral relationship. That is, it helps to generate conflicting moods between two peoples. It helps to sustain the situation of close economic cooperation and cold political relationship. It also enhances China's doubt about Japan's entry into the permanent membership of U.N. Security Council.Finally, based on the great differences between two countries in society and culture, acknowledgement toward the post war and implications of paying homage to the Yasukuni Shrine, the diesis analyzes the profound reasons why Yasukuni Shrine becomes an obstacle to the bilateral relationship between China and Japan at presentThis year is the 60^th anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany and of the victory of China's War against Japan. We are looking forward to Japan taking satisfactory attitude and actions on the problem of "paying homage to the Yasukuni Shrine".