A blog of the History and Public Policy Program
Japanese Foreign Ministry Records on China, 1974-1986
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.
Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
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:
- the initial post-rapprochement contacts between the Chinese and Japanese foreign ministers;
- the summer 1978 negotiations that led to the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship;
- the reciprocal high-level visits by Deng Xiaoping to Japan and Ōhira Masayoshi to China in 1978-1979;
- Prime Minister Suzuki's visit to China in 1982 and his meetings with Deng Xiaoping, Hu Yaobang, and Zhao Ziyang;
- and, lastly, the 1986 visit by Japanese Prime Minister Nakasone to China and his meetings with Deng Xiaoping, Hu Yaobang, and Zhao Ziyang.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Charles Kraus
Charles Kraus is the Deputy Director of the History and Public Policy Program at the Wilson Center.
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