Japan’s new prime minister is setting the diplomatic tone for his time in office. If he can steer clear of “Cold War” rhetoric and challenges from his own party, he may be able to subtly redefine Japan-China relations.

It is natural for Japan, the world’s third-largest economy, to provide leadership in global economic governance. But preventing a repeat of its failure with the Kyoto Protocol requires it to abandon its U.S.-centrism and its fealty to certain myths of the CPTPP.

Japan’s strong ties to the West have benefited its economy and global standing in the Pacific Rim for the better part of a century. Now, as China gains power and grows bolder, Japan’s next moves will test the stability of China-Japan relations.

Japan’s strong ties to the West have benefited its economy and global standing in the Pacific Rim for the better part of a century. Now, as China gains power and grows bolder, Japan’s next moves will test the stability of China-Japan relations.

China and Japan have pledged full support for each other in presenting the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing. Their cooperation will be invaluable in promoting the regional integration of Asia.

Opportunities far outweigh challenges as Japan and China enter a new era of relations. A healthy appreciation of these opportunities will be a wellspring of long-term stability as Japan learns to stand on its own feet rather than leaning constantly on the United States.

If the coronavirus epidemic has any positive outcome, the greatly improved relations between the old enemies, even in the face of their long-festering disputes, must be placed at the top of the list.

In the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak, China and Japan have embarked on an unexpected path of reciprocal generosity. While the deep-seated tensions across the East China Sea will not be resolved overnight, their collaboration provides a powerful lesson for other bilateral relationships that have succumbed to deep-seated hostility around the world.

Tensions between the U.S. and China in the lead up to the G20 summit in Osaka was nothing new, but what is new in this decade is the development of a working relationship between the Chinese and Japanese governments.

With relations normalizing between China and Japan, it is critical to focus on the two countries’ mutual defense and security concerns. There are several measures both countries can take — including reinstating regular security consultations, coordinating defense communication mechanisms, and cooperating on crisis management and prevention — in order to instate basic safeguards for the region.