Amid deteriorating China-Japan relations, a "Japan-China Friendship Coming-of-Age Ceremony" event was held in Shanghai on Saturday (April 11). According to Japanese media reports, the number of students participating was higher than last year.
According to Japan's Kyodo News, Japanese and Chinese students jointly celebrated coming of age at the "Japan-China Friendship Coming-of-Age Ceremony" held at a hotel in Shanghai on Saturday. Many Chinese students dressed in furisode kimonos and Japanese students wearing Hanfu attended.
The report stated that approximately 50 students from each of China and Japan participated, totaling around 100 people, which is more than last year's roughly 70 participants. This event began in 2012, targeting young people who have reached the legal age of adulthood (18) in both countries, and is organized by the Shanghai Japanese Student Association.
Previously, Kyodo News on March 24 quoted several participants as reporting that the Japanese Embassy in China held a joint coming-of-age ceremony for Japanese overseas students and Chinese students on March 21, but Chinese universities exerted pressure, asking students not to participate, and many had already canceled attendance before the event began.
Previously, Kyodo News on March 24 quoted several participants as reporting that the Japanese Embassy in China held a joint coming-of-age ceremony for Japanese overseas students and Chinese students on March 21, but Chinese universities exerted pressure, asking students not to participate, and many had already canceled attendance before the event began.
After Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made remarks last November regarding a possible "Taiwan contingency," relations between China and Japan have rapidly deteriorated, triggering a series of diplomatic rifts. China has advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan, suspended imports of Japanese seafood, and restricted exports of dual-use items to Japan.
On the other hand, the latest edition of Japan’s "Diplomatic Blue Book" downgraded its description of China–Japan relations from "one of the most important bilateral relationships" last year to simply an "important neighboring country." However, the Blue Book still emphasized that Japan keeps the door open for dialogue, stating it is necessary for China and Japan to strive for a "strategic and mutually beneficial relationship" and to cooperate in areas of common interest.
On the other hand, the latest edition of Japan’s "Diplomatic Blue Book" downgraded its description of China–Japan relations from "one of the most important bilateral relationships" last year to simply an "important neighboring country." However, the Blue Book still emphasized that Japan keeps the door open for dialogue, stating it is necessary for China and Japan to strive for a "strategic and mutually beneficial relationship" and to cooperate in areas of common interest.