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Japanese Foreign Ministry Records on China, 1974-1986

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Translations of 63 Japanese language documents from the Diplomatic Archives in Tokyo offer new details on Sino-Japanese relations and the transformation of China’s economy, politics, and diplomacy in the 1970s and 1980s.

1986 Nakasone-Hu Yaobang Meeting
A summary of Naksone's meeting with Hu Yaobang in November 1986, pictured above, is among the newly published Japanese documents concerning relations with China.

Translations of 63 Japanese language documents from the Diplomatic Archives in Tokyo offer new details on Sino-Japanese relations and the transformation of China’s economy, politics, and diplomacy in the 1970s and 1980s.

The documents cover five different phases and elements of Sino-Japanese relations:

In their many encounters over this period, the leaders of China and Japan exchanged views on a range of different subjects in international affairs and bilateral relations. The two sides frequently discussed developments on the Korean Peninsula, the Sino-Vietnamese War, the Cambodian-Vietnamese conflict, Soviet foreign policy, the knotty status of Taiwan, and relations with the United States, among other subjects.

Many of the documents provide a day-by-day account of the efforts to conclude the 1978 Treaty of Peace and Friendship and the attention that both sides paid to carefully crafting the language of the treaty.

The two sides also frequently reviewed the expanding economic ties between China and Japan. During this period, Tokyo etched out an extremely important role in supporting China’s economic reforms and overall development.

Japanese leaders also frequently used their meetings with Chinese officials to gather information on the backgrounds of China’s senior leaders and on the secretive world of elite politics in the PRC.

In addition to being available for consultation at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, many of the documents were also released through the Japanese equivalent of the Freedom of Information Act and have been available online for several years. This is, however, the first time they have been translated into English and published online.

Several of the documents covering Deng Xiaoping’s visits to Tokyo in 1978 and 1979 were previously introduced by Robert Hoppens on Sources & Methods. Hoppens underlined the wide range of subjects that Deng and his counterparts in Japan exchanged views on.

The materials from 1986 are also the subject of a fascinating essay by Shinji Yamaguchi, who argues that the Nakasone visit revealed fissures in China's elite politics and was connected to Hu Yaobang's removal from power.

The newly published records also complement past Wilson Center documentary releases, including documents on the 1972 normalization between China and Japan that were analyzed by Yutaka Kanda, June Tuefel Dreyer, Yinan He, Caroline Rose, and Daqing Yang, and the records concerning the 1984 visit of Japanese Prime Minister Nakasone to China, previously introduced by myself in collaboration with Sergey Radchenko and Yutaka Kanda.

The documents are particularly valuable given that the PRC government has, regretfully, not publicly disclosed comparable records. As I wrote in 2017, Japanese perspectives and sources will rightfully continue to dominate scholarship and public debate on Sino-Japanese relations as long as the Chinese Communist Party refuses to open up its diplomatic records. China’s propensity for secrecy is to its own detriment.

Post-Rapprochement Contacts

Cable No. 25, Ambassador Ogawa to the Foreign Minister, 'Japan-China Foreign Minister Meeting,' 4 January 1974

2004-204, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

A summary of a meeting between Ohira Masayoshi and Ji Pengfei, where the two briefly describe China and Japan's overarching foreign policy views.

Cable No. 34, Ambassador Ogawa to the Foreign Minister, 'Japan-China Foreign Minister Meeting,' 5 January 1974

2004-204, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

A summary of a second meeting between Foreign Ministers Ohira and Ji. The two discussed Sino-Japanese relations.

1978 Treaty Negotiations

Cable No. 1371, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (1st Meeting),' 21 July 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

The first meeting of negotiations consisted of press photos and statements made about goals of the Treaty.

Cable No. 1384, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (2nd Meeting),' 22 July 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Negotiation topics include the anti-hegemony clause and the foreign relations of China and Japan.

Cable No. 1396, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (3rd Meeting - Part 1),' 24 July 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

The delegations address diplomatic relations with the United States and the Soviet Union during negotiations.

Cable No. 1398, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (3rd Meeting - Part 2),' 24 July 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

The delegations discuss the new draft proposed by the Japanese.

Cable No. 1407, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (4th Meeting),' 25 July 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

The delegations discuss their feeling toward the treaty and what still needs to be discussed.

Cable No. 1408, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (4th Meeting),' 25 July 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Negotiation topics include hegemony and word choice.

Cable No. 1433, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (5th Meeting, Part I),' 27 July 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

A negotiation of word usage when expressing anti-hegemony in the Treaty.

Cable No. 1434, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (5th Meeting, Part II),' 28 July 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

The meeting covered the work put into the Treaty over the years of its creation and diplomatic relations considerations.

Cable No. 1448, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (6th Meeting),' 28 July 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

The delegations debate the wording for the anti-hegemony clause.

Cable No. 1465, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (7th Meeting),' 31 July 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Provisions for the Treaty of Peace and Friendship are proposed.

Cable No. 1464, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (7th Meeting),' 1 August 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

The delegations discuss word choice and what policy sentiments should be in the treaty.

Cable No. 1488, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (8th Meeting),' 1 August 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

The Chinese and Japanese delegations discuss wording of drafts of the Treaty.

Cable No. 1489, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (8th Meeting),' 1 August 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Negotiations about the Chinese draft for the treaty.

Cable No. 1502, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (9th Meeting),' 2 August 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Discussion of the language around the anti-hegemony clause.

Cable No. 1512, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (10th Meeting),' 3 August 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Note discusses difficulties between the Japanese and the Chinese negotiating the Treaty of Peace and Friendship.

Cable No. 1513, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (10th Meeting),' 3 August 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

The Japanese delegation does not approval of the latest Chinese proposal because of the anti-hegemony clause.

Cable No. 1530, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (11th Meeting),' 4 August 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

The Chinese and the Japanese discuss each other’s draft proposals.

Cable No. 1531, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (11th Meeting),' 4 August 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Statement from the Ambassador to the Foreign Minister explaining the language in the Japanese draft and how it alludes to the Soviet Union.

Cable No. 1550, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (12th Meeting),' 6 August 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Both parties discuss the language used in a draft of the treaty.

Cable No. 1569, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (13th Meeting),' 7 August 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

The Chinese delegation feels that the Japanese are talking and leaking information about the treaty.

Cable No. 1582, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (14th Meeting),' 8 August 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Discussion of the points of a Joint Communique as part of the overall Treaty negotiations.

Cable No. 1606, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (1st Ministerial Meeting) (Part 1 of 2),' 10 August 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Steven Mercado.

A discussion on Japanese and Chinese diplomacy as well as the issue of hegemony.

Cable No. 1606, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (1st Ministerial Meeting) (Part 2 of 2),' 10 August 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Steven Mercado.

Discussion of hegemony and its effect on Japan, China, and the rest of Asia. Specifically using the Soviet Union as an example of the use of this power.

Cable No. 1608, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (2nd Ministerial Meeting),' 10 August 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Steven Mercado.

Japanese and Chinese discuss the relationship between the two countries and express interest in a continued partnership.

Cable No. 1617, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (15th Meeting),' 10 August 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Steven Mercado.

A summary of the day's negotiations from Japanese Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister.

Cable No. 1643, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (16th Meeting),' 11 August 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Steven Mercado.

Japanese Ambassador Sato and Chinese Vice Minister Han negotiate point in the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China. Japan also asks China about the Sino-Soviet Alliance Treaty.

Cable No. 1675, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (3rd Ministerial Meeting),' 12 August 1978

2010-367, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Steven Mercado.

Friendly remarks about the continued negotiations of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China, and points of continued negotiation including the nationality of ethnic minorities.

1978-1979 High Level Exchanges

Record of Meeting between Prime Minister Fukuda and Vice Premier Deng (First Meeting), 23 October 1978

Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, 01-935-1, 001-015. Contributed by Robert Hoppens and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Deng Xiaoping and Fukuda Takeo discuss Sino-Japanese relations, the Soviet Union, Vietnam, and Soviet-American negotiations over nuclear weapons.

Record of Meeting between Prime Minister Fukuda and Vice Premier Deng (Second Meeting), 25 October 1978

Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, 01-935-2, 016-027. Contributed by Robert Hoppens and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Deng and Fukuda discuss Korea, Taiwan, economic cooperation, and the status of the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands.

Tête-à-tête Meeting of Prime Minister and Vice Premier Deng (Record), 7 February 1979

Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, 01-1237-1, 001-011. Contributed by Robert Hoppens and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Deng and Ohira discuss developments in Indochina and on the Korean Peninsula, as well as relations with the United States.

General Meeting of Prime Minister and Vice Premier Deng (Summary Record), 7 February 1979

Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, 01-1237-1, 012-016. Contributed by Robert Hoppens and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Deng and Ohira discuss China and Japan's relations with Pakistan, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the U.S.

Meeting of Foreign Ministers Sonoda and Huang Hua (Summary Record), 7 February 1979

Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, 01-1237-1, 017-021. Contributed by Robert Hoppens and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Huang Hua and Sonoda discuss Vietnam, Cambodia, and Korea.

Meeting of Former Prime Minister Fukuda and Vice Premier Deng (Summary Record), 7 February 1979

Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, 01-1237-2, 030-033. Contributed by Robert Hoppens and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Deng and Fukuda discuss developments in Cambodia, among other subjects.

Meeting of Former Prime Minister Tanaka and Vice Premier Deng (Summary Record), 7 February 1979

Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, 01-1237-2, 034-039. Contributed by Robert Hoppens and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Deng and Tanaka discuss Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, and ASEAN, among other subjects.

Cable No. 2659, Ambassador Yoshida to the Foreign Minister, 'Okita – Gu Mu Meeting (A),' 8 February 1979

2004-589, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Chinese and Japanese economic relations are discussed with specific references to the first Yen loan and the coal industry.

Cable No. 2612, Ambassador Yoshida to the Foreign Minister, 'Prime Minister's Visit to China (Courtesy Call on Premier Hua) (A),’ 6 December 1979

2004-589, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Premier Hua and Prime Minister Ohira express great interest in strengthening relations between China and Japan.

Cable No. 2615, Ambassador Yoshida to the Foreign Minister, 'Prime Minister's Visit to China (First Summit Meeting) (A),' 6 December 1979

2004-589, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

The meeting covers topics about the foreign policy of Japan and China toward the United States, the Korean and Indochinese Peninsulas, and the Soviet Union among other locations.

Cable No. 2629, Ambassador Yoshida to the Foreign Minister, 'Prime Minister's Visit to China (Ohira – Deng Meeting) (A),' 6 December 1979

2004-589, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

China and Japan discuss the Soviet Union and the border dispute in Mongolia, and the United States working on SALT II.

Cable No. 2630, Ambassador Yoshida to the Foreign Minister, 'Prime Minister's Visit to China (Ohira – Deng Meeting),' 6 December 1979

2004-589, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

China and Japan discuss Taiwan and the relationship China will allow Japan and other countries to have with Taiwan.

Cable No. 2632, Ambassador Yoshida to the Foreign Minister, 'Prime Minister's Visit to China (Second Summit Meeting) (A),' 7 December 1979

2004-589, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Report of subjects discussed in the meeting including; Chinese and Japanese economic and cultural exchanges, Chinese modernization, development of coal, and foreign affairs toward Western countries.

Cable No. 2636, Ambassador Yoshida to the Foreign Minister, 'Prime Minister's Visit to China (Second Summit Meeting, Small Group Meeting),' 7 December 1979

2004-589, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Prime Minister Ohira and Premier Hua discuss foreign policy toward Taiwan, Indochina, Vietnam and the Korean Peninsula.

Cable No. 2637, Ambassador Yoshida to the Foreign Minister, 'Prime Minister's Visit to China (Ohira – Deng Meeting) (A),' 7 December 1979

2004-589, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Deng explains the "Four Modernizations," and the two sides discuss relations with Vietnam and Cambodia.

1982 Summit

Record of Prime Minister Suzuki’s Visit to China and Meetings, 9 October 1982

2004-590, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Also available at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Steven Mercado.

Japan's Prime Minister meets with Deng Xiaoping, Hu Yaobang, and Zhao Ziyang for a series of meetings. The two sides discuss bilateral political and economic relations, developments in China's economic policies, Sino-Soviet and Sino-American relations, the situation on the Korean peninsula, the status of Hong Kong and Taiwan, the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, the Japanese textbook issue, and ther topics.

1986 Summit

Meetings with Hu Yaobang

Summary of Prime Minister Nakasone's Visit to China (Part 1) (Discussion with General Secretary Hu Yaobang), 8 November 1986

2012-319, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

The meeting reaffirms the relationship between Japan and China as well as laying out points of interest for future actions in Asia.

The Secret Parts of General Secretary Hu’s Statements

Released via the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, January 12, 2017. Translated by Stephen Mercado.

General Secretary Hu discusses China's influence in the Korean Peninsula, the upcoming 13th Congress, better relations with Japan, and the Japanese Prime Minister's interest in allowing Chinese-Japanese flights over of the Korean Peninsula.

Cable No. 3756, Ambassador Nakae to the Foreign Minister, 'The Prime Minister’s Visit to China (Meeting with General Secretary Hu - Japan-China Relations),' 9 November 1986

Released via the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, January 12, 2017. Translated by Stephen Mercado.

Hu and Nakasone discuss bilateral relations between China and Japan, with both sides expressing a high degree of optimism about the relationship.

Cable No. 3757, Ambassador Nakae to the Foreign Minister, 'The Prime Minister’s Visit to China (Meeting with General Secretary Hu - Japan-China Relations),' 9 November 1986

Released via the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, January 12, 2017. Translated by Stephen Mercado.

Hu and Nakasone discuss some of their countries respective foreign policy priorities, including the USSR, the United States, the Cambodian-Vietnamese conflict, Eastern Europe, and Afghanistan, as well as arms control.

Cable No. 3752, Ambassador Nakae to the Foreign Minister, 'The Prime Minister’s Visit to China (Meeting with General Secretary Hu - Domestic Issues),' 9 November 1986

Released via the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, January 12, 2017. Translated by Stephen Mercado.

Ambassador Nakae reports Hu Yaobang's brief comments on China's political and economic situation.

Cable No. 3755, Ambassador Nakae to the Foreign Minister, 'The Prime Minister’s Visit to China (Meeting with General Secretary Hu - Domestic Issues),' 9 November 1986

Released via the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, January 12, 2017. Translated by Stephen Mercado.

Hu Yaobang briefs Nakasone on expected upcoming leadership changes within the Chinese Communist Party.

Cable No. 3753, Ambassador Nakae to the Foreign Minister, 'The Prime Minister’s Visit to China (Meeting with General Secretary Hu - Korean Peninsula),' 9 November 1986

Released via the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, January 12, 2017. Translated by Stephen Mercado.

Hu and Nakasone discuss the state of relations between North and South Korea, and prospects for enhanced ties between the ROK and China.

Cable No. 3754, Ambassador Nakae to the Foreign Minister, 'The Prime Minister’s Visit to China (Meeting with General Secretary Hu - Korean Peninsula),' 9 November 1986

Released via the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, January 12, 2017. Translated by Stephen Mercado.

Hu and Nakasone discuss the possibility of expanding ties between the ROK and the PRC, and North Korea's likely reactions.

Cable No. 3776, Ambassador Nakae to the Foreign Minister, 'The Prime Minister’s Visit to China (Relations between China and Philippines),' 9 November 1986

Released via the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, January 12, 2017. Transcribed by Yamaguchi Shinji and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Ambassador Nakae relays Hu Yaobang's remarks on China's relations with the Philippines.

Cable No. 3777, Ambassador Nakae to the Foreign Minister, 'The Prime Minister’s Visit to China (General Secretary Hu’s Statements at the Reception),' 9 November 1986

Released via the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, January 12, 2017. Transcribed by Yamaguchi Shinji and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Hu Yaobang shares his views on China's future political evolution, including possible leadership changes.

Speech of Secretary General Hu Yaobang at Banquet to Welcome Prime Minister Nakasone, 8 November 1986

Released via the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, January 12, 2017. Translated by Stephen Mercado.

A friendly speech about the historic and current Sino-Japanese relationship.

Meetings with Zhao Ziyang

Summary of Prime Minister Nakasone’s Visit to China (Part 2) (Discussion with Premier Zhao Ziyang), 9 November 1986

2012-319, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

Prime Minister Nakasone and Zhao Ziyang discuss Sino-Japanese relations generally and specifically about trade and loan agreements.

Meeting with Premier Zhao Ziyang (Notice)

Released via the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, January 12, 2017. Translated by Stephen Mercado.

Zhao and Nakasone discuss economic relations between China and Japan.

Cable No. 3770, Ambassador Nakae to the Foreign Minister, 'The Prime Minister’s Visit to China (Meeting with Premier Zhao),' 9 November 1986

Released via the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, January 12, 2017. Translated by Stephen Mercado.

An outline of the discussions held between Zhao Ziyang and Nakasone Yasuhiro.

Cable No. 3771, Ambassador Nakae to the Foreign Minister, 'The Prime Minister’s Visit to China (Meeting with Premier Zhao - Investment in China, Introduction of Bilateral Economic Issues),' 9 November 1986

Released via the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, January 12, 2017. Translated by Stephen Mercado.

Discussion of the benefits of current trade between China and Japan and hopes to expand trade between the two countries.

Cable No. 3772, Ambassador Nakae to the Foreign Minister, 'The Prime Minister’s Visit to China (Meeting with Premier Zhao - Trade),' 9 November 1986

Released via the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, January 12, 2017. Translated by Stephen Mercado.

Leaders from China and Japan discuss trade between the two countries including coal and other energy fuels.

Cable No. 3773, Ambassador Nakae to the Foreign Minister, 'The Prime Minister’s Visit to China (Meeting with Premier Zhao - Funding Cooperation with China),' 9 November 1986

Released via the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, January 12, 2017. Translated by Stephen Mercado.

Discussions of the Second and Third Yen loans. China would like to move up the third loan by a year.

Cable No. 3774, Ambassador Nakae to the Foreign Minister, 'The Prime Minister’s Visit to China (Meeting with Premier Zhao - Investment in China, Joint Enterprises),' 9 November 1986

Released via the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, January 12, 2017. Translated by Stephen Mercado.

Zhao and Nakasone discuss Japanese investment into China.

Cable No. 3775, Ambassador Nakae to the Foreign Minister, 'The Prime Minister’s Visit to China (Meeting with Premier Zhao - Petition for Commerce and Industry Club),' 9 November 1986

Released via the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, January 12, 2017. Translated by Stephen Mercado.

Prime Minister Nakasone brings up points of Chinese taxation on Japanese industrialists and Japanese schools in China.

Remarks of Prime Minister Nakasone at Luncheon Hosted by Premier Zhao Ziyang, 9 November 1986

Released via the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, January 12, 2017. Translated by Stephen Mercado.

Prime Minister Nakasone gives a speech about his visit to China and his hopes for the continuation of a strong Sino-Japanese relationship.

Meetings with Deng Xiaoping

Cable No. 3028, Foreign Minister to Ambassador Nakae, 'The Prime Minister’s Visit to China (The Meeting with Chairman Deng - Views on Marxism),' 8 November 1986

Released via the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, January 12, 2017.  Transcribed and translated by Yamaguchi Shinji.

This cable provides an assessment of Chairman Deng focusing on this past successes and what he might do before he retires.

Summary of Prime Minister Nakasone’s Visit to China (Part 3) (Discussion with Chairman Deng Xiaoping), 9 November 1986

2012-319, Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs. Contributed by Yutaka Kanda and translated by Stephen Mercado.

After a discussion with Prime Minister Nakasone of Japan, Chinese Leader Deng lays out points to improve China.

Cable No. 3025, Foreign Minister to Ambassador Nakae, 'The Prime Minister’s Visit to China (The Meeting with Chairman Deng - On the Reform of Political System),' 10 November 1986

Released via the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, January 12, 2017.  Transcribed and translated by Yamaguchi Shinji.

A report about Deng's hopes for social and economic reforms in China.

Cable No. 3026, Foreign Minister to Ambassador Nakae, 'The Prime Minister’s Visit to China (The Meeting with Chairman Deng - on World Affairs),' 10 November 1986

Released via the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, January 12, 2017.  Transcribed and translated by Yamaguchi Shinji.

The Japanese Prime Minister and Chairman Deng discuss U.S.-Soviet relations, specifically the recent U.S.-Soviet Summit.

Cable No. 3027, Foreign Minister to Ambassador Nakae, 'The Prime Minister’s Visit to China (The Meeting with Chairman Deng - on the Philippines Situation),' 10 November 1986

Released via the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, January 12, 2017.  Transcribed and translated by Yamaguchi Shinji.

Chairman Deng explains China’s relations with the Philippines.

About the Author

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Charles Kraus

Deputy Director, History and Public Policy Program

Charles Kraus is the Deputy Director of the History and Public Policy Program at the Wilson Center.

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The History and Public Policy Program makes public the primary source record of 20th and 21st century international history from repositories around the world, facilitates scholarship based on those records, and uses these materials to provide context for classroom, public, and policy debates on global affairs.  Read more

Cold War International History Project

The Cold War International History Project supports the full and prompt release of historical materials by governments on all sides of the Cold War. Through an award winning Digital Archive, the Project allows scholars, journalists, students, and the interested public to reassess the Cold War and its many contemporary legacies. It is part of the Wilson Center's History and Public Policy Program.  Read more

North Korea International Documentation Project

The North Korea International Documentation Project serves as an informational clearinghouse on North Korea for the scholarly and policymaking communities, disseminating documents on the DPRK from its former communist allies that provide valuable insight into the actions and nature of the North Korean state. It is part of the Wilson Center's History and Public Policy Program.  Read more

Nuclear Proliferation International History Project

The Nuclear Proliferation International History Project is a global network of individuals and institutions engaged in the study of international nuclear history through archival documents, oral history interviews, and other empirical sources. At the Wilson Center, it is part of the Wilson Center's History and Public Policy Program.  Read more