Japanese and Chinese academics on Jan. 31 released a 549-page report on their joint studies of ancient, medieval and modern history involving both countries. Release of the report, originally scheduled in 2008, was delayed because of political considerations on China's part. In addition, the postwar section of the report was not disclosed, at the request of the Chinese side.
China appears to fear, among other things, that the section on the 1989 crackdown in Tiananmen Square could incite a strong reaction among its people. Still, it is significant that the joint studies were carried out and that the report was finally released.
Historical issues have caused an emotional rift between Japan and China. Violent anti-Japanese demonstrations in China in April 2005 prompted then Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura to propose the joint studies project to China. In an October 2006 summit, then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Hu Jintao agreed to start the project to help warm bilateral ties that had chilled over the repeated visits by Mr. Abe's predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi, to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan's war dead.