文|蔡成平  环球时报英文版  2011年5月10日

Satoshi Amako

Editor's Notes:

The costs of the devastating Sendai earthquake in Japan are still being assessed. How much has the earthquake changed Japan? Will the nuclear crisis affect Japan's future energy policy? Will Sino-Japanese relationship enter a relatively stable stage after China's GDP surpassed Japan's? Tokyo-based Global Times (GT) special correspondent Cai Chengping talked to Satoshi Amako (Amako), professor at the Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, Waseda University, on these issues.

GT: Some analysis holds that the Sendai earthquake will become a chance for Japan to reform its domestic politics. Do you agree?

Amako: The earthquake has indeed changed the political agenda of Japan.

Before the disaster, Japan was concerned about nothing more than political donation issues, the resignation of former Foreign

Minister Seiji Maehara and the political crisis Prime Minister Naoto Kan faced with.

After the earthquake, however, the focus was soon shifted to earthquake relief. To some extent, the earthquake saved the Naoto Kan cabinet.

But, given the present situation, much of the Kan cabinet's performance needs to be reviewed. Therefore, there are calls for the formation of a grand coalition government in Japan. But before that, we need to carefully examine the necessity of such a move.

So far the Democratic Party and the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan have been communicating smoothly.

I don't think it's a good idea to form a coalition, since a cabinet with a sole party is more elastic in dealing with problems and usually acts with more bravery and resolution.

Meanwhile, a coalition government needs a politician with a strong team spirit. At present, I see no such politician except Ichiro Ozawa. However, Ozawa is not very popular with the public at the moment, and it might be very difficult for him to rise to power again.

GT: After the earthquake, both the Chinese government and Chinese people actively helped Japan in relief work. And the tone of public opinion from the two countries has softened. Do you think this mood will last?

Amako: Personally, I feel sincerely grateful for China's help. The public opinion of the two countries can be influenced by a series of events, but I always believe that rationality and friendliness are the mainstream, which will not change in the future.

Facing the earthquake, both the good side and bad side of Japan have been disclosed. It will help people from the two countries see a true picture of each other.

GT: Do Japanese scholars spend enough time studying China?

Amako: China has a rich and sophisticated cultural heritage and develops rapidly. I don't think any scholar is conceited to say he has made enough study about China. When it comes to study, the more you know about one thing, the more you know you don't know.

Even though I've been studying China for decades, I still feel there is much beyond my knowledge. Similarly, there is also much room for study and exploration in China's study of Japan. It is key for people from both countries to get to know each other.

GT: After China's GDP surpassed Japan's, will the Sino-Japanese relationship enter a relatively stable stage?

Amako: Both countries need to see this fact with detachment. Both China's thinking of "avenging insults a century old" and Japan's pessimism that "it signals the decline of an empire" are unhealthy.

Between China and Japan, it is not important to see who has surpassed whom. Rather, they should examine if they can learn from each other and if they can collaborate to create an Asian century.

GT: After the Fukushima nuclear accident, what direction will Japan's energy policy take?

Amako: First, we should take time to reflect on this accident and draw lessons from this disaster.

It is important to develop nuclear energy, because it concerns the future of a country. At present, humanity has no other option save to overcome the difficulty of developing nuclear energy. At this moment, the world deny the peaceful use of atomic energy.

The use of natural resources like solar energy will be more widespread. Nevertheless, such kinds of energy play little role in Japan at present. For example, only less than 10 percent of Japan's total electricity was generated through solar power and wind.

I think the government should think about Japan's energy policy together with its people rather than work behind closed doors. The government should try to gain public understanding and consent before taking the next step.