Abe acts tough on islands disputes with China
By Li Xiaokun in Beijing and Cai Hong in Tokyo (China Daily) Updated: 2012-12-18 07:34Yang Bojiang, a professor of Japanese studies at the University of International Relations, said Abe will take a dual-track approach to China policy to achieve the contradictory aims of protecting Japan's economic interests in China yet keeping a seemingly hard line on territorial issues.
"He will play up the conservative agenda, but will by no means sacrifice business ties at any cost. His priority is improving Japan's economy," Yang said.
"As a former premier, Abe is well aware of that."
AFP quoted analysts on Monday as saying that Japan's powerful business lobby may temper Abe's hawkish foreign policy agenda, especially on China.
Tetsuro Kato, professor emeritus at Hitotsubashi University, said Abe was aware of the need to navigate carefully and "knows the importance of ties with business circles", AFP reported.
Kato said Abe's hand would be tied by manufacturing powerhouses such as Toyota and Sony, which have bases in China and enjoy the fruits of its huge market.
Mikitaka Masuyama, professor of politics at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, said the electorate would also keep Abe's more extreme inclinations in check.
"It's not that voters gave credibility to Abe's hawkish agenda. He knows that he has to moderate his confrontational posture on China if he wants to achieve results in economic recovery and keep public support," he said.
"If he fails to improve ties with China, voters will punish the LDP in upper house elections next year."
Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman Shigetaka Sato said in an interview with Japan's Sankei Shimbun newspaper published on Monday that this is no time for anything but decisive action.
Sato urged the next government to pursue "decisive politics" based on reality.
Contact the writers at lixiaokun@chinadaily.com.cn and caihong@chinadaily.com.cn
AFP contributed to this story.
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