Aso's Yasukuni Gift Causes China's Black Eye

Japan's Aso Taro did what he did last year at the Autumn Festival, and spent 50,000 yen and gave the same gift to the annual Spring Festival to Yasukuni Shrine. However, Beijing raised voice this time and asked Aso and Japan to deal with Yasukuni issue with a more cautious manner.

Aso is scheduled to visit Beijing next week.

The Yasukuni issue is again put on the table.

Japan obviously doesn't want to anger China right before Aso's trip, and Cabinet Secetary Kawamura brashed off and said Tokyo is not concerned about negative impact to the visit.

However, Yakukuni is to Sino-Japan Relations, just like Tibet to Sino-French one, is unavoidable and up front whenever the leaders from the two sides meet. Sarkozy rushed to repair ties with Beijing with a eye on potential economic benefits. Aso didn't have to make too much efforts, thanks in part to fromer PM Abe Shinzo's ice melting trip to Beijing. However, the issue is pretty much still up and front.

Will the trip be affected? I don't think so. However, a shadow has cerartainly casted when Aso meets Hu Jintao late this month.

Major News On China and Japan

China looks increasingly to dump the dollars it holds. As the largest holder of the U.S. currency, China moves to hedge the dollar position with other currencies.


China is leading the way in Latin America. China has been negotiating deals to double a development fund in Venezuela to $12 billion, lend Ecuador at least $1 billion.


At the same time, more talks on China leading the world out of the recession, instead of Japan and Europe.


Japan will issue the largest ever national debt in 2009 to pay for economic stimulus package


Japan considers to sponsor unemployed Japanese in Brazil


China's GDP grows by 6.1, a big drop for China. (Not for everyone else)


Japan significantly relaxes regulation to lure more Chinese tourists


China opens rehabilitation facility for internet addicts

Japan in DC

It is certainly the Hanami (cherry blossom viewing )and Sakura Matsuri season. In Washington DC, the cherry trees were in full blossom a few days ago, and a street festival has taken place last saturday. However, the Japan and Asian flavor can be seen around the town. here are the same places you can take a bit:

The screening of film Okuribito (the departures) at DC International Film Fest. The movie surprised everyone by winning this year's Academy Award for Best Foreign Film.


An excellent morden art exhibit (FREE! too) from chinese artists is on display at the Meridian International Center.


If you are not in DC, here are some news for the weekend reading:


China establishes a new Japan study center in Tsinghua University(Japanese)


Tnkwo former high ranking Chinese Communist Officers call for re-evaluation for Hu Yaobang, the former CCP secretary. (Japanese)

Obama Meets Hu, Is China Superpower or Not?

Obama Meets Hu, a U.S.-China Luvfest?


More Love, Less Talks?


No matter how much love between them, China and U.S. don't see eye to eyes on North Korea (Japanese)


After delays and back and forth, Japan PM Aso Taro finally goes to Beijing on April 29 (Japanese)


Obama also will visit China within the year (Japanese)


French President Sarkozy Made Peace With Beijing. He Told Chinese President Hu Jintao that Tibet and Taiwan is Part of China.


China's deal with France squeezes Dalai Lama


China Block Youtube, Again


Whether you like or not, at G-20, China looks more like a global economic power


Do you think, China is a Superpower, or Not?


Australia certainly doesn't think so, the government blocks China from buying Mining Company



Watch out during your next trip to China, 64 infected with hepatitis at hospitals