Excerpts from Shinzo Abe Interview
Excerpts from Sebastian Moffett's interview with Shinzo Abe, Japan's prime minister. The interview was held in Japanese.
WSJ: Why is it important to improve Japan-China relations?
Shinzo Abe: China is a neighboring country and a superpower. It has the potential ability to develop further. Economically, our relationship is an inseparable one.
So it is important to get both wheels -- politics and the economy -- moving in order to open up new possibilities for both countries. It is also a good thing for regional stability…At the very least, it is important to create an environment so that if a problem arises, we will be able to discuss it.
How do you plan to develop Japan-China relations? What is the possibility of a free trade agreement?
Japan's investment in China is creating 10 million jobs in China. Japan is exporting finished goods and half-finished goods to China, and in turn, China is reaping profits by processing and exporting these products. Both countries are benefiting from this relationship.
In addition, it is important for Japan to cooperate further in energy and environment…In the future, an EPA (economic partnership agreement) or FTA is within my field of vision. In order to do that, it's important to establish guidelines for property rights, for instance
