Recently, more and more Japanese companies have taken actions that show their positive attitude about participating in the Belt and Road (B&R) initiative, and Japanese leaders have also made some positive gestures.
It seems thatJapan's participation in the B&R initiative will open up new space for China-Japan economic cooperation and create new growth points. Promoting mutual cooperation in third-party markets is conducive to both the economic development of third parties and the expansion of China-Japan economic and trade cooperation.
Positive statements by Japanese leaders seem to draw the country closer to the B&R initiative. But the real driving force is the inevitable historical trend. That is, from "Datsu-A Ron", which means "Goodbye, Asia" to "returning to Asia."
Japan implemented "Datsu-A Ron" almost 150 years ago. One major reason was that Asia was clearly behind at that time and it was necessary forJapanto catch up with the industrial and technological revolutions in Europe. AlthoughJapan's drive went the wrong way politically, the nation did seize the opportunity of developing science and technology.