History haunts Japan, China on soccer pitch?
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-08-04 16:16

Like a spat earlier this year over a cluster of islands in the East China Sea, a harsh reception from Chinese fans for Japan's national side at the contest is a stark reminder that the two Asian neighbours have yet to put history behind them.

Japan's side have faced a hostile crowd in all their matches so far, as Chinese fans booed them loudly and cheered for rival teams including Thailand, Jordan and Bahrain.

Some Chinese fans carried banners reading "Looking into history, apologise to Asia people", a reference to Japan's military aggression before and during World War Two. Violence almost broke out after Japan beat Thailand 4-1 on July 24.

On Wednesday, Japan's top government spokesman urged Beijing to ensure the final took place in a calm, safe atmosphere.

"We would like them by all means to deal with this calmly so that anti-Japanese sentiment is not introduced into sports exchanges," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda told a news conference, adding Beijing should make sure Japanese players and spectators were safe.

Resentment of Japan's wartime aggression lingers in China despite ever-closer economic ties, and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has added to the anger with his annual visits to Yasukuni Shrine, where war criminals are honoured with other war dead.

Negative impact, safty valve

Japanese sports teams have played in China many times in the past, but not to such a rousing display of hostility.

In fact, Japan's most serious soccer rivalry has long been with South Korea, also a victim of Tokyo's wartime aggression.

"This has reminded the Japanese people that the Chinese have not forgotten the things of the past," said Keita Saito, who coaches a Japanese junior high school soccer team. "Japan and South Korea have created a friendly mood but this is not so for China."

The potential for Sino-Japanese spats of all sorts may be growing as nationalism among Internet-savvy Chinese youth collides with a sense in Japan that the time for apologies is over, analysts say.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi warned that the hostility in the stands wasn't good for two-way ties.

"It is regrettable. This is not a plus for the improvement of Sino-Japanese ties," Kyodo news agency quoted her as telling a parliamentary panel.

Analysts said both governments were likely to want to keep the soccer fan fuss from damaging ties, but some added that widespread Japanese media coverage could prompt an anti-Chinese backlash in Japan, just as diplomatic ties looked set to improve.

"This is starting to get coverage at the TV talk show level," said Tomoyuki Kojima, a China specialist at Keio University in Tokyo. "Naturally, it will spark anti-Chinese feeling."

Diplomatic experts said the furore was likely to fade after Saturday's match, no matter who won.

And Japanese soccer aficionados advised Japan's team just to go out and play. "All the players can do is concentrate on soccer," coach Saito said.

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