Koto，古筝 is the new bridge

Chinese students of traditional musical instrument-古筝, in Shanghai is having a concert. what's the important of the concert, however, is that they are having Japanese performers of koto, a sibling instrument of 古筝, to perform together.

However does the difference exist between Japan and China, there are certainly more similarities. In terms of 求同存异，seeking the common grounds, 古筝 has been doing a wonderful job. If you remember my very first post, featuring Kotohime （Koto Princesses), a group of musical performers from China, Japan and Korea to perform together.

Once again, I say, you go, Koto girls.

China's to be the largest Greenhouse emitter

According to a report released today by NCPA(National Center for Policy Analysis), China is soon to pass the U.S. and become the world's largest greenhouse emitter.

What's worse is that both China and the U.S. are not nations that bind their CO2 emissions according to the Kyoto Agreement. China has said it will work with Japan to improve its emission, during Wen Jiabao's visit to Tokyo early this month, however, China is still not following Kyoto rules on CO2 emission.

Read the Press release here.

Abe apologizes, to U.S. Congressmen and Bush

Japanese Prime Minster Shinzo Abe had a busy day at Washington DC. He visited U.S. Capital and held talks with Congress leaders, to whom he offered apology regarding the Comfort women issue. And again, at today's joint press briefing held at Camp David, when being asked by a Japanese reporter about his attitude, Abe again said he apologized when meeting the congressional representatives yesterday.

Where's the problem any more? Abe has offered his repetitive apologizes to both U.S. congressmen and congresswomen, to president Bush.

Having said that, to me, there seems to be missing something, in his answer, he didn't mention Kono Statement, at all, in contrast, Mr. Bush actually said he expected to move forward based on the famous Kono Statment, in which Japanese government acknowledged its responsibility for forcing women from Korea, Taiwan and other countries to serve as a army prostitutes.

Last but not least, Abe offered rounds of apologies to VIPs in Washington DC, Did he offer apologize to the Comfort women themselves?

Bush Dance African tunes

Not quite Friday here in DC, yet, however, I thought it would be funny to feature Bush dance to an African Malaria awareness day in DC.

Comfort Women uncomfort US-Japan Relations

It would be a perfect timing for Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to be in DC, after a long and enduring cold days and several storms in March and early April, finally sunny and warm days returns to DC this week.

However, from today, when Abe is going to have dinner with Bush at the White House, the weather turns to cloudy and gloomy. Not only the weather, the issue of comfort women has also clouded the US-Japan relationship.

Today's Washington Post even posted a full page Ad paid by 121 Coalition: A National Coalition United to Defend Human Rights and Support H.Res. 121, a resolution posposed by the U.S. Congress to ask Japan to apologize for Comfort Women during WWII.

Heading to DC, Abe said he expected a very open discussion with Bush, will they talk about the uncomfortable comfort women issue?

Abe in D.C., China's challenge to America

Tomorrow will be the first day when Shinzo Abe will be in Mr. Bush's guest in the White House and Camp David. 6:45 p.m.: Bush, along with Mrs. Bush, welcomes Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Mrs. Abe to the White House. North Portico. Open press.

Evening: Hosts a social dinner for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Mrs. Abe.

other event related to China and Japan include:

11 a.m. -- (US-CHINA/DIPLOMACY/BOOK) DISCUSSION -- The Brookings Institution holds a book discussion with Richard Bush and Michael O'Hanlon, authors of "A War Like No Other: The Truth About China's Challenge to America."

Location: Brookings Institution, 1775 Massachusetts Avenue NW

Contact: 202-797-6105, communications@brookings.edu

3 p.m. -- (CHINA/DEMOCRACY) DISCUSSION -- The Library of Congress (LOC) holds a lecture program on "China's Return to Tradition: How to Interpret the New Forces Emerging in China" by Yu Ying-shih, recipient of the John W. Kluge Prize for the Study of Humanity.

Location: LOC, Jefferson Building, 10 First Street SE, Room 119

Contact: 202-707-2692

4:30 p.m. -- (JAPAN/ASIA/MIDEAST) DISCUSSION -- The Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) hosts a discussion on "U.S.-Japan Relations and the Middle East: The Abe Visit and Beyond," with Kent Calder, director of the SAIS Japan Studies Program and the Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies.

Location: SAIS, Rome Building, 1619 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Room 806

Contact: Felisa Neuringer Klubes, 202-663-5626, fklubes@jhu.edu

Japan passes the U.S. as China's biggest trade partner

Japan's Trade bureau releases the data for the fiscal year of 2006, (Japan's fiscal year starts from April 1 to March 31st), trade with China (not including trade with Hong Kong)increases by 16.5%, it is the first time that trade with China has exceeds with the U.S..(TBS News)

On the same side of Japan, a recent survey finds that only 8% of Japanese youth wants to be great, which is a direct contrast with same age group in China and the U.S., 34% of Chinese and 22% of American youth said, Yes. (Nikkei Net)

After Pet foods were found to contain toxic ingrendents, U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) blocks gluten from China, and today FDA is expanding its investigation into contaminated pet food, after some U.S. companies suggested the contamination was no accident. It also appears the contaminant involved — melamine — could reach human food. (NPR)

China's a threat to the world? Concern over poison pet foods

First thing this morning, when I picked the Washington Post and started reading, I was shocked the see the big title on the upfront of the front page-China's Food issue is a concern.

It is no more news that China has a bad reputation for food poisoning, something even people could not image how cruel it is, milk powder, for example. in 2004, 13 babies in China died of malnutrition, a would-be worst case in a developed country, however, it is only one of handful cases in China, where patients died of antibiotics injections, made by irresponsible and profit only pharmacy makers, and students and teachers died of school cafeteria foods that were contaminated by pesticides.

However, it would be just OK if this is only a domestic issue for China, with China speeds up its export machine and Made in China goods flooded every corner of the World, it is now becoming a Global Issue.

How safe are the Chinese exports? From Pet foods poison to hogs were being quarantined in several states in the U.S., If this trends continue, the foods industry in China will face a serious doubt from not only U.S. consumers, but also the Sudanese consumers.

Angelina Jolie comes to DC, Again

My favorite actress Angelina Jolie comes to DC on Thursday, she is not a stranger to the national capital, I profiled her last visit here, along with Hillary Clinton and Condi Rice, Jolie was awarded for fighting poverty in Africa. Jolie gave Global Action for Children one million dollar donation.

This time, Jolie again will come to talk at National Press Club, check out the day schedule here.

Abe's Visit, China dominates DC's schedule

For scores of Chinese and Japanese media outlets and politics junkies like me, April 25th of 2007 is certainly a busy day in Washington DC, Abe's weekend visit and various issues regarding China are going on from 9am to 5pm. Here is the list I compared for you. Want to go, call for information:

9:15 a.m. -- (TRADE/S.KOREA) FORUM -- The Global Business Dialogue, Inc. and KEIDANREN-USA (The Japanese Business Federation) hold a forum titled, "Quicker Pace, New Partners: FTAS in the Asia Pacific After April 1." Jeffrey Schott of the Peter G. Peterson Institute for International Economics; John Foarde, former staff director for the Congressional-Executive Commission on China; and Murray Hiebert of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, participate.

Location: National Press Club, 14th and F Streets NW

Contact: 202-463-5074

Noon -- (CHINA/ATTITUDES) DISCUSSION -- The Committee of 100 holds a luncheon program on "Taking the Pulse of China," a discussion of recent polls on evolving Chinese attitudes and the levels of satisfaction with Chinese institutions. Participants include Victor Yuan, founder and CEO of Horizon Research and vice president of China Marketing Research Association, and president of Beijing Consulting Association; Susan Lawrence and Kathy Chen, journalists who have spent considerable time in China.

Location: Army Navy Club, 901 17th Street NW

Contact: Rebecca Mond, 202-293-8144

12:30 p.m. -- (ROMANIA/DIPLOMACY) SPEECH -- The Elliott School of International Affairs host a speech by Mircea Munteanu, project associate at Woodrow Wilson Center's Cold War International History project, who discusses "The Bucharest Pony Express: Romanian Shuttle Diplomacy on Vietnam, China, and the Arab-Israeli Conflict."

Location: George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs, 1957 E Street NW, Voesar Conference Center, Room 412

Contact: 202-994-6240

1:45 p.m. -- (US-JAPAN/SECURITY) DISCUSSION -- The Elliott School of International Affairs hosts a discussion by Ellis Krauss, professor of Japanese politics and policymaking at the University of California, San Diego, titled, "Challenges for U.S.-Japan Relations: Koizumi's Legacy & Abe's Security Policies."

Location: George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs, 1957 E Street NW

Contact: 202-994-6240

3:30 p.m. -- (CHINA/COMMUNISM) FORUM -- The Woodrow Wilson Center (WWC) hosts a forum entitled, "The Chinese Communist Party: Bent, But Not Broken" Participants include Bruce Dickenson, WWC fellow and professor of political science and international affairs at the George Washington University; Cheng Li, professor of government at Hamilton College; Melanie Manion, professor of political science and public affairs at the University of Wisconsin; Yan Sun, professor of political science at the City University of New York Graduate Center and Queens College.

Location: WWC, One Woodrow Wilson Plaza, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Contact: 202-691-4000

11 a.m. -- (JAPAN/DIPLOMACY) BRIEFING -- The Washington Foreign Press Center (WFPC) news briefing for foreign media on President Bush's upcoming meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Location: WFPC, National Press Building, 14th and F Street NW, Suite 800

Contact: 202-504-6320

5:30 p.m. -- (JAPAN/ASIA) DISCUSSION -- The Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) Middle East Perspectives Student Club hosts a discussion titled, "Does Japan Matter in Central Asia?" with Akio Kawato, visiting professor at Waseda University and former ambassador to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan; Evan Feigenbaum, deputy assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs; and S. Frederick Starr, chairman of the SAIS Central Asia-Caucasus Institute (moderating.).

Location: SAIS, Rome Building, 1619 Massachusetts Avenue NW

Contact: Felisa Neuringer Klubes, 202-663-5626

The week ahead

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is visiting Washington on Friday and will be Bush's guest at Camp David on Saturday. US-Japan secutiry alliance, Okinawa basis rearrangement, how to deal with a rising China and Sino-Japan relations will be the topics for the two leaders.

Nagasaki Mayor gunned down by a right wing activist

Today, Nagasaki mayor was gunned down in front of his election office. Mr. ito was well known for speaking out for peace. He has been appealing for non-nuclear world since he was elected as a mayor of Nagasaki, one of only two cities that have been hit by atomic bombs.

Recent violence targeting outspoken politicians, economic elites in Japan have been on a dangerous increasing path, one can't wonder if it indicates the Shinzo Abe's ambiguous and sometimes even aggressive policy towards such historical issues as Comfort Women, Yasukuni Shrine has something to do with the trend.

The gunman killer is from South Korea!

Just within minutes from my last post suspecting the killer in VT is from China, the news breaks out that he is from South Korea.

A bit released, I, like everyone else, wonder why he did this and did on himself, too, is there something to do with the culture he comes from?

An Aisan Male did Mass Murduring in VT, Chinese?

A short wave spread far over the U.S. from yesterday's gunmen killing of 32 people at Virginia Tech (VT), a university located 265 miles (500 kilometers) from Washington DC. According to a CNN news report, the president of VT has disclosed that a student is the killer, and the student is an Asian decent.

My mind spins on hearing this, Asian Decent? A Chinese, quite possible, as there are more than a handful of cases in which a Chinese student in a U.S. campus, out of jealousy, killed a girlfriend, an academic adviser/professor, or even friends.

I hope it would be the case, however, it is still a big question unfolding.

Mr. Wen, This Way...

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is in Tokyo, on a trip widely applaud as"ice-breaking". With his easy smile, Wen Jiabao is certainly able to win some hearts or even minds in Tokyo and Kyoto, where he will be going to talk to a group of university students. However, the gap(溝） between China and Japan is so deep and wide, can he achieve the goal of breaking ice?

Being a minimalist myself, I like paying attention to details, and I have to say that I was concerned by Wen's first day performance.

I checked out a TBS news clip online, and was impressed by how different Chinese and Japanese behave, when Wen was escorted by Abe and entered the door of a meeting room, he immediately turned to an opposite direction, with a big smile on his face. After a "yell" from Abe, Wen eventually turned around and followed his host to the designated seat.

Familiar to you? If you have read my post on Chinese president Hu Jintao's visit to Washington last spring, you will immediately identify Wen with Hu.

I hope the event is not a indication that China and Japan are so interdependent, like two people on a boat, yet the differences are so huge that they row the boat to different directions.

Lost in Sumo Wrestling

Washington Post has a very interesting article on Sumo Wrestling in the U.S., in which a 36-year old former truck driver turned Sumo Wrestler, weighed 420 pounds(210 Kgs), Kelly Gneiting "had goose bumps because I knew that's what I'd be really good at".

The tone of the article, titled Middle America?, is light, funny and full of wisdom, What I like the most is about wrestler's butts:

"Ahh, the buttocks. It does take a little getting used to. In sumo, a spectator is exposed to a wide landscape of fleshy, jiggling, muscular (and sometimes less so) bottoms, because remember that in sumo, the two fighters begin their contest from a low squat, like football linemen. Depending on a fan's vantage point in the arena, one could indeed see all the way to France."

Check out the article here.

U.S. Asks WTO to stop Privacy in China

U.S. put a case against privacy in China to World Trade Organization(WTO) today, which makes it public that U.S. has run out of patince with Chinese effort in rooting out priated Hollywood moives, DVDs and brand products.

U.S. Department of Commerce put out a press release, saying that "Despite this progress, the United States and China have been unable to reach an agreement on certain critical issues. Therefore the United States is utilizing available dispute settlement tools, including WTO consultations, to resolve them as we do in any mature trading relationship". The disappointed tune is evident.

China is to cut CO2 emission

First reported by Yomiuri Newspaper, In preparing Wen Jiabao's visit to Tokyo next week, officials from China and Japan are working on a agreement regarding China's duty implementing Kyoto Treaty. As a significant gesture to show its efforts, China announces to cut CO2 emission.

Certainly China is throwing a good will to Japan, which bears the name of the landmark treaty with aims of cutting CO2 emissions among all countries. However, China, just like the U.S., never agrees to take actions, citing reasons as being a developing country and the responsibility of the current situation is caused by the western industrial countries.

Today's announcement is a step forward, however, weather China will put its words into action is a different issue left for another day.

Panda and Lions, China's involvement in Africa

Strating tomorrow, April 6th, in Washington DC, there are two day conference on China's engagement in Africa, jointly held by SAIS of Johns Hopkins University and American University(AU). The details of the first is as follows: (For the 2nd day events, check out
AU's website)

8:30 a.m. -- (CHINA/AFRICA) CONFERENCE -- American University and The Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and host a conference on "China's Engagement with Africa: Opportunity and Challenge." First of two days.

Highlights

9:15 a.m.: Pang Zhongying of Renmin and Nankai Universities; David Goldwyn of Goldwyn International and Stephen Morrison of CSIS discuss "The Scope of China's Engagement with Africa."

11 a.m.: Deborah Brautigam of American University; Joshua Kurlantzick of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; and Sun Bahong of the China Embassy discuss "Aid and Development Models."

1:30 p.m.: Ian Taylor of the University of St. Andrew's; Ndubisi Obiorah of CLASA, Nigeria; Hillary Thomas-Lake of LTL Strategies; and Stephen Schwenke of Georgetown University discuss "Governance and Security."

3:15 p.m.: Harry Broadman of the World Bank; Denis Tull of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs; and Adama Gaye of Ecobank discuss "Policy Directions."

Location: SAIS, Nitze Building, 1740 Massachusetts Avenue NW

Contact: Shawnetta Jackson, 202-663-5676, smjackson@jhu.edu

Note: RSVP required.

Wen is due to Tokyo, Abe is due to Washington

With the spring is here and cheery tress are in full blossom, Diplomacy is in full blown too among Beijing, Tokyo and Washington.

China's premier Wen Jiabao will be visiting Tokyo next week, Wen will be meeting his counterpart Shinzo Abe. And Abe will be visiting to Washington on April 26th. At the same time, Japan's Congress History Study Group, a group that asks to review Comfort women issue, will visit DC after Abe's visit to ask US congress to rethink a bill to condemn Japan over the Comfort Women issue. (Asahi)

Guangzhou's labor union in China found that Macdonald's and KFC are paying lower than usual salary to part-timers. (Niikei)

Sino-Japan friendship Ambassadors-Pingpong player Ai Fujihara and Actress Noriko Sakai meet Shinzo Abe.(Yomiuri)

China India's democracy, Bolton on North Korea

Here are the list of What's going on in DC for tomorrow, 4/5/07

Noon -- (CHINA/INDIA/DEMOCRACY) DISCUSSION -- The Elliott School of International Affairs holds a discussion on "Comparing India and China: The Decentralization-Democracy Link," as part of the "Future of Democracy Initiative." Participants include Aseema Sinha of the University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Jaiwen Yang of GWU.

Location: The George Washington University (GWU) Elliott School of International Affairs, 1957 E Street NW, Seventh Floor, City View Room

Contact: 202-994-6240

10 a.m. -- (NORTH KOREA/BOLTON) FORUM -- Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton participates in an American Enterprise Institute (AEI) forum on "A Fair Deal with North Korea?" Dan Blumenthal, Nicholas Eberstadt, and Christopher Griffin of AEI also participate.

Location: AEI, 1150 17th Street NW, Wohlstetter Conference Center, 12th Floor

Contact: Veronique Rodman, 202-862-4871, vrodman@aei.org

Japan's Fois coverage-what's going on in DC

Here is the event to be held in DC on 4/4/07,

9 a.m. -- (TECH/BROADBAND/JAPAN) DISCUSSION -- The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) holds a discussion on Japan's 75 percent fiber optic broadband coverage. Participants include Takashi Ebihara of the NTT East Corporation.

Location: ITIF, 1250 I Street, Suite 200

Contact: 202-449-1351

Cheery blossom, さくら, 樱花, eveverwhere

This is the time of a year, again. Sunny, warm, nice breezy, with all views of flowers. However, the most attractive to people in Japan would be Sakura, it is a symbol of Spring in Japan. Both cherry trees in Washington DC and Shanghai's Luxun park are donated from Japan.

From Washington DC to Tokyo to Shanghai, Cherry Blossom is at its peak. I can't wait to wander away from the computer and enjoy the pink, white blossom. If you art in Shanghai, Japan or DC, at least you can enjoy Sakura here.

Anti-Subsidy law, Hong Kong, 10 years after

Hong Kong 10 years after and U.S. influential lobbying wing, National Association of Manufacturers discuss Anti Subsidy law imposed by the U.S. against Chinese paper products.

Noon -- (CHINA/TRADE/MANUFACTURING) NEWS CONFERENCE -- The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) holds a discussion on the Commerce Department's announcement that countervailing duties could be applied to offset Chinese subsidies. Participants include Commerce Undersecretary for International Trade Frank Levin; and Frank Vargo, vice president of International Economic Affairs.

Location: NAM, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Contact: 202-637-3090

12:30 p.m. -- (HONG KONG/CHINA) FORUM -- The Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) holds a forum titled, "Hong Kong Ten Years After."

Location: SAIS, Rome Building, 1619 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Room 806

Contact: Felisa Neuringer Klubes, 202-663-5626, fklubes@jhu.edu