Emperor Akihito and Emperor Michiko visited India from Nov. 30 to Dec. 5 to commemorate last year's 60th anniversary of Japan-India diplomatic relations. India, often described as the world's most populous democracy, is important to Japan because of its geopolitical position and economic potential.
The Abe administration appears inclined to use Japan's relationship with India as a means of checking China, which is trying to increase its influence in Asia and with which Japan has a territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. But Japan should refrain from using its ties with India merely for political expediency. Instead, it should cultivate cooperative ties with India with a wider perspective and a long-range view.
The Emperor and Empress's visit to India this time was their first official visit to the country since their visit in 1960, when they were the Crown Prince and Princess.