Japan continues to lack an overall regional vision

Tokyo

THE Chinese Embassy in Tokyo (like the Russian Embassy) is often subjected to screaming assaults from Japanese nationalists riding around in "sound trucks" that sometimes have to be intercepted by police. But there was a very different kind of demonstration at the Chinese Embassy here last week.

Some 2,000 guests converged on the building in Tokyo's Roppongi district, not to hurl insults at their hosts but to offer congratulations on 45 years of Japan-China diplomatic relations. Much to everyone's surprise, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was among those 2,000 guests.

It was the first time in 15 years that a Japanese prime minister had attended the event, which marked not only the 45th anniversary but also China's N…