Research On The China Policy Of Abe Shinzo During His Second Administration (2012-2020)

Sino-Japan relations play a crucial part in China’s surrounding environment.As Japan’s longest-term prime minister after World War II,Abe Shinzo ’s distinctive China policy has made a great and lasting impact on Sino-Japan relations.After becoming the prime minister for the second time in 2012,Abe changed his moderate China policy during his first term.Instead,he emphasized the fundamental role of Japan-US alliance and strengthened bilateral relations with Southeast Asian countries.Overall Abe’s policy toward China has tended to be tough,but in 2016 the relations between the two countries alleviated.Such a change is greatly affected by American factors,which also shows Japan’s relatively passive strategic position in the game between China and the US.The formation of Abe’s China policy is affected by both national strategic goals and changes in international society.From the personal perspective,Abe’s political values are inspired by Kishi Nobusuke.They are all committed to building Japan into a political and military power like it used to be.Constitutional amendment and reform of defense policies are the most prominent policies for achieving this goal,which affected the maritime security of the two countries and the Diaoyu Islands dispute.From the perspective of developing Japan,the decline of Japan’s economic status makes Abe dependent on bilateral trades between China and Japan.One of the reasons why Abe has been in power for a long time is to attach importance to domestic economic and people’s livelihood issues.As Japan’s largest trading partner,China has an important strategic position.After Trump came to power and promoted trade protectionism,Abe administration turned to promote Sino-Japan bilateral relations through summit and diplomatic-level dialogues.It is because of this opportunity that relations between the two countries have alleviated.From the perspective of regional structural changes,Abe’ s China policy was a part of American Asia-Pacific deployment.Japan’s passive status in Japan-US alliance makes it lack of autonomy in the strategic deployment of China policy.With the lead of the US,Abe promoted the "Indo-Pacific Concept" and TPP,the main purpose of which is to curb the further expansion of China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific region.For China,the impact of Abe’ s China policy is mainly reflected in problems such as increased security pressure,less rights in regional system,and damage to bilateral trade.In spite of that,China still maintains a positive impulse in developing,especially in the economic field.By expanding trade activities with other regions like ASEAN,EU,China has reduced the bad effects of bilateral trade contraction between China and Japan.Abe’s China policy has its own particularities,but also has much to learn in dealing with Sino-Japan relations.By reflecting on its adverse effects on China,including the increased pressure of maritime security,defaming of China’s international image,and the limitation of regional construction,we can find a way of how to maintain moderate bilateral relations and take the initiative in Sino-Japan competition and cooperation.