Chronologies
Japan - China
Chronology from Mar 2004 to Jul 2004
: Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Chen Guofeng calls in Japanese ambassador to protest undersea survey.
: Aichi Prefectural Police arrest Chinese national residing in Gifu City for counterfeiting and selling foreign residency documentation.
: METI Minister Nakagawa tells reporters that Japan will survey undersea resources in the East China Sea.
: METI Minister Nakagawa tells reporters that China has failed adequately to respond to Japan’s requests for data regarding exploration of the Chunxiao natural gas field and makes clear his intention to conduct survey on the Japanese side of the demarcation line in July.
: Chinese court sentences Noguchi Takayuki, a member of Japanese NGO Life Funds for North Korean Refugees, to eight months in prison for helping North Korea refugees in China seek refuge in third countries. Noguchi was arrested in December and will be deported upon completion of sentence in August, having been credited with time already served in custody.
: Japanese Embassy in Beijing reports Japanese experts conclude chemical weapons clean-up in Qiqihar.
: Japan Defense Agency sources report Chinese maritime research ship seen operating within Japan’s EEZ.
: Economic, Trade, and Industry Minister Nakagawa Shoichi confirms China natural gas exploration following observation from Coast Guard airplane.
: Six-party talks on North Korea in Beijing.
: Foreign ministers of China, Japan, and South Korea meet on the sidelines of Asian Cooperation Dialogue in Qingdao. Kawaguchi-Li, in June 21 bilateral, take up China’s gas exploration in East China Sea.
: Japan’s Health Ministry lifts import restrictions on frozen spinach from China. In May 2003, the ministry asked Japanese companies voluntarily to restrict spinach imports from China because inspections had detected pesticide residue. In November, China responded by implementing a new inspection regime.
: Sankei Shimbun and Fuji Television report Chinese construction of a second natural gas drilling test site.
: LDP Working Group on Japan’s Maritime Interests issues report calling on government to begin exploration of natural resources on Japan side of the Japan-China EEZ border and development of a comprehensive strategy to deal with issue, including the creation of an intergovernmental committee to deal with related issues.
: LDP China Study Group is established; Kakuga Fukushi is appointed chairman of the approximately 20-member group.
: Japan communicates concern to China that construction of drilling sites for natural gas in East China Sea violates Law of the Sea Convention.
: Japan, China, and South Korea energy ministers attend joint meeting with ASEAN counterparts meet during APEC meeting in Manila to discuss energy issues. This is the first energy ministerial of the ASEAN Plus Three.
: Chinese FM spokesperson Liu Jianchao, touching on the Soga family, tells reporters that China is prepared “to play a constructive role” in improving Japan-North Korea relation but China does “not have a position” on the site for a meeting.
: Chinese patrol ship, Haixun 21, participates in a joint exercise conducted by the Japanese Coast Guard and focused on counterterrorism, piracy, and smuggling.
: Japanese press reports that China has begun construction of a natural gas drilling facility in an area Tokyo considers to be within Japan’s EEZ.
: Shinkansen train unloaded in Kaohsiung.
: Chemical weapons incident in Qiqihar.
: FM Kawaguchi briefs FM Li on Koizumi’s May 22 visit to Pyongyang.
: Council on East Asian Community established in Tokyo; former PM Nakasone named chairman. The Council is aimed at building support in Japan for the development of an East Asian economic community.
: Tokyo Gov. Ishihara Shintaro visits Taiwan for inauguration of President Chen Shui-bian (May 20); meets with Chen. Both agree to develop Japan-Taiwan relations.
: First Shinkansen high-speed bullet train shipped to Taiwan; it is the first model built for overseas use and will connect Taipei and Kaohsiung. Japan is still awaiting China’s decision on a high-speed train to connect Beijing and Shanghai.
: Professor Koh Se-kai of Providence University Taiwan, appointed Taiwan unofficial representative to Japan.
: Japan supports Taiwan entry as observer in World Health Organization.
: ASEAN Plus Three Finance Ministers meet in South Korea to discuss multilateral framework for currency swap issues.
: Finance Ministry announces discovery of counterfeit 500 yen coins sent in mail from China.
: Japan protests activities of research ship to China’s Foreign Ministry.
: Chinese research ship leaves area claimed by Japan as its EEZ.
: Osaka District Court rules prime minister’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine as private in nature.
: Six-party working group meets in Beijing.
: Chinese female trainees of Tokushima gardening company report video cameras in their dormitory; Chinese Foreign Ministry orders consul general in Osaka to interview students and meet with local police.
: Chinese maritime research ship detected operating without prior notification in Japan EEZ; Japan asks Chinese Embassy to end ship’s survey activities
: China’s ambassador for six-party talks, Ning Fukui, visits Japan to coordinate positions in advance of May 12 meeting.
: Dalien Court sentences Japanese national, arrested in October 2003 and charged with intent to smuggle approximately 1kg of amphetamines from China to Japan, to indefinite confinement.
: Rightwing Japanese activist rams loudspeaker truck into main gate of Chinese Consulate in Osaka; Chinese Foreign Ministry protests the “unscrupulous” act and expresses strong dissatisfaction with police protection.
: Japan-China meeting on Law of the Sea Convention takes place in Beijing.
: Japan and China reach final agreement on construction of facilities to manage destruction of chemical weapons left in China by the Imperial Army
: Wen Jiabao meets with visiting former PM Hashimoto in the Great Hall of the People.
: Members of LDP and Minshuto establish Association of Members of the Diet to Defend Japan’s Territorial Integrity.
: Fukuoka District Court rules prime minister’s visit to Yasukuni unconstitutional.
: Minister of Land Ishihara Nobuteru urges government to build a lighthouse or heliport in the Senkakus to demonstrate Japanese sovereignty over the islands.
: FM Kawaguchi travels to Beijing, meets with FM Li Zhaozing, Premier Wen Jiabao, and State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan.
: Yamasaki Taku, former vice president of the LDP, and Hirasawa Katsuei, LDP member of the Lower House, travel to Beijing to meet with North Korean officials on abductees issue.
: Security Committee of Lower House passes resolution affirming Japanese sovereignty over Senkakus and requesting government to take all possible measures to protect Japan’s territorial integrity.
: China, citing Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s “tight schedule,” cancels planned signing ceremony for Japan’s yen loans. The loan was signed March 31.
: Niigata District Court rules against government and Japanese company in suit brought by Chinese nationals seeking compensation for wartime forced labor.
: FM Kawaguchi telephones FM Li asking that China prevent a recurrence of the Senkakus landing and protests the burning of the Japanese flag at the Japanese embassy in Beijing.
: Niigata District Court rules against government and Japanese company in suit brought by Chinese nationals seeking compensation for wartime forced labor.
: FM Kawaguchi telephones FM Li asking that China prevent a recurrence of the Senkakus landing and protests the burning of the Japanese flag at the Japanese embassy in Beijing.
: Sapporo District Court rules against Chinese plaintiffs seeking compensation for wartime forced labor.
: Sapporo District Court rules against Chinese plaintiffs seeking compensation for wartime forced labor.
: Seven Chinese activists land on Uotsuri Island in Senkakus and are arrested by Okinawa Prefectural Police. Vice FM Takeuchi calls in China’s ambassador Wu Dawei on March 24 to protest. Activists are deported to China on March 27.
: Chinese activists land on Uotsuri Island in the Senkakus, are arrested and deported.
: Seven Chinese activists land on Uotsuri Island in Senkakus and are arrested by Okinawa Prefectural Police. Vice FM Takeuchi calls in China’s ambassador Wu Dawei on March 24 to protest. Activists are deported to China on March 27.
: FM Kawaguchi announces early April visit to China
: FM Kawaguchi announces early April visit to China
: Japanese immigration authorities deny permission to enter Japan to 150 Chinese students suspected of holding forged papers to study at Japanese-language schools in Tokyo; police suspect owner of school of taking bribes and using school as pretext to find employment for Chinese nationals.
: Japanese immigration authorities deny permission to enter Japan to 150 Chinese students suspected of holding forged papers to study at Japanese-language schools in Tokyo; police suspect owner of school of taking bribes and using school as pretext to find employment for Chinese nationals.
: Matsuyama District Court dismisses suit claiming that Koizumi’s visit to the Yasukuni Shrine in August 2001 violates the constitutional separation of church and state.
: Matsuyama District Court dismisses suit claiming that Koizumi’s visit to the Yasukuni Shrine in August 2001 violates the constitutional separation of church and state.
: Vice FM Dai Bingguo meets with FM Kawaguchi and Vice FM Takeuchi in Tokyo. Subjects for discussion include North Korea and the prime minister’s hoped-for an invitation to make an official visit to China.
: Vice FM Dai Bingguo meets with FM Kawaguchi and Vice FM Takeuchi in Tokyo. Subjects for discussion include North Korea and the prime minister’s hoped-for an invitation to make an official visit to China.
: LDP panel proposes expansion of tour group visas for Chinese visitors to Japan to include provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shangdon, and Liaoning. At present such visas are only issued to tour groups from Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangdong provinces.
: LDP panel proposes expansion of tour group visas for Chinese visitors to Japan to include provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shangdon, and Liaoning. At present such visas are only issued to tour groups from Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangdong provinces.
: Liu Hong Cai, deputy director of the CCP’s External Liaison Department, visits Tokyo meets with JDA Director General Ishiba; former PM Nakasone, former LDP VP Yamasaki, President of the Democratic Party of Japan Kan, and Social Democratic Party leader Fukushima.
: Liu Hong Cai, deputy director of the CCP’s External Liaison Department, visits Tokyo meets with JDA Director General Ishiba; former PM Nakasone, former LDP VP Yamasaki, President of the Democratic Party of Japan Kan, and Social Democratic Party leader Fukushima.
: LDP approves ODA reduction for China.
: LDP approves ODA reduction for China.
: Vice FM Takeuchi brands Chinese research activities in Japan’s EEZ as “extremely regrettable.”
: Vice FM Takeuchi brands Chinese research activities in Japan’s EEZ as “extremely regrettable.”
: FM Li addresses Yasukuni in NPC press conference; Koizumi replies March 9.
: FM Li addresses Yasukuni in NPC press conference; Koizumi replies March 9.
: Japanese Foreign Ministry asks Beijing to cease activities of Chinese research ships in Japan EEZ.
: Japanese Foreign Ministry asks Beijing to cease activities of Chinese research ships in Japan EEZ.