Abstract

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was fatally wounded while delivering a speech in Osaka on July 8, 2022. Not only did this incident shock the world, but it will also have a significant impact on Sino-Japanese relations. In summary, regardless of the suspect's motivations, various forces in Japanese society will use the assassination of Abe to advance their predetermined political agendas. As the largest party in Japan, the LDP will use the political and public memory of Abe to advocate for the passage of a bill to amend the Constitution. This indicates that the trend toward an independent security policy for Japan will accelerate. In response, China must adopt a more realistic perspective of Japan and objectively assess the impact of Japan's independent security policy on Sino-Japanese relations. 

We recommend that China: (1) offer appropriate condolences to Prime Minister Abe; (2) control and restrain anti-Japanese populist forces at home; (3) reach a minimum consensus with Japan on Taiwan and historical issues; and (4) propose a "second normalisation" and develop rational and mature bilateral relations with Japan.