Regarding the Feb. 19 Kyodo article "China calls for closer financial ties": This is a good initiative. It warms my heart every time I hear of the prospect of better relations and trade between China and Japan. If Japan had an independent foreign policy free of U.S. influence, I'm sure our relations with China would improve tremendously.
Japan and China are the two most important countries in Asia. It is good when we Asians can work together more, despite our differences, which are not unlike those among Europeans. The day Asia removes itself from the shadow of the U.S. military is when we can expect equanimity of relations between Japan and China. Until then, Japan will not be regarded as a strong independent country; it will, instead, be viewed as a U.S. puppet or a junior partner. In this sense, the only major power in the region at present is China.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.