CHINA-JAPAN China research trips cancelled over scholar spy charge Tweet



Professor Nobu Iwatani from Japan's Hokkaido University was in China in September at the invitation of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ (CASS) Institute of Modern History for a two-week visit when he was detained for over two months under a 2014 espionage law in China, according to Japanese media.



It was his second invitation from CASS. The previous visit a year ago incurred no problems.



News of his detention in China only filtered out in Japanese media on 18 October, but even then he was not named. Iwatani, who has a considerable reputation as a scholar of the Sino-Japanese conflict of 1937-45, was released on 15 November.



Details of the case continue to be vague in the public domain except for a public statement by the Japanese government when it pressed Beijing for his release. President Xi Jinping of China is scheduled to visit Japan next spring and both sides are keen to build warmer ties.



Despite Iwatani’s release, Japanese scholars are responding by cancelling research visits to China, according to Japanese media.



What has caused alarm was that Chinese official media suggests that Iwatani was arrested for possession of a ‘forbidden book’. The book in question, relating to the history of the Chinese Nationalists, the Kuomintang, was bought at a legitimate bookstore. No official charges were made public other than allegations that he had violated domestic laws.



“Robust academic exchanges over the past few decades between the two countries were a spark in weak Japan-China relations. But the latest incident has dampened the atmosphere,” said Professor Satoshi Amako, an expert on Chinese contemporary politics at Waseda University in Japan and a member of the Association of Scholars Advocating Renewal of the Japan-China Relationship.



In a public appeal, 40 members, including scholars and diplomats, jointly expressed “deep concern” and “shock beyond words” at Iwatani’s detention. Their letter was released on 29 October, addressed to the Chinese government demanding more information about the charges against the Japanese academic.



“It is difficult for Japanese academics to conduct quality research without the right to freedom of expression, easy access to information and the ability to conduct interviews without interference,” said Amako.



He added that under the current Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, who took over in 2012, the atmosphere in China for academic research has become more restricted, casting a shadow on future collaboration with Japan.



But, explains Professor Akio Takahara, dean of the Graduate School of Public Policy at Japan’s University of Tokyo and another signatory of the protest letter, the reaction among academics in Japan signals the growing influence of this sector in Japan-China relations.



“The detention is a lot more important in Japan than what China thinks and this is what we wanted to convey to Beijing” he said. Takahara referred to the



He contends the role of academic exchange is to build understanding to promote stronger relations between Japan and China, and it is thus a core aspect of diplomatic bilateral relations.



Joint research and close cooperation programmes between Japan and China’s universities are supported by the two governments to build bridges for further relations.



But differences are obvious – Japanese researchers put a high value on individual objectives and intellectual and moral integrity. In China, however, state funds support academic research that is defined under the objective of serving national interests. Programmes are administered under the government and academia must follow party policy.



Sombre mood



Professor Futao Huang, researcher at the Research Institute for Higher Education at Hiroshima University in Japan, expresses anxiety over the current sombre mood among Japanese academics.



“Japanese scholars, by avoiding field work in China, will have to rely on second-hand information, such as interviews with Chinese academics in Japan or past research. This is not good,” he said, pointing out the crucial importance of gaining trust between two countries that have different higher education systems.



Japanese scholars view the latest detention as a threat to universally accepted values of freedom and democracy. In contrast, in China, the academic world is about supporting national interests, observed Huang.



Indeed, against this backdrop, Professor Kazuki Okimura, who is the founder of the Sakura Science Club, the alumni association of the Sakura Science Program, under the government-funded Japan Science and Technology Agency, says the latest Japanese academic detention “will not hinder future projects”. He pointed out that of the 30,000 scientists registered in the exchange programme, Chinese researchers top the list at 10,000.



Okimura stresses the need to beef up exchanges as China’s technology and science expertise advances. “The sharing of information between the two major countries in East Asia will only contribute to peace and prosperity in the region,” he explained.

The recent detention and release of a Japanese scholar on spy charges in China have shaken Japanese academics who say the incident has dealt a hefty blow to future bilateral university exchanges with China and cast a pall on ongoing diplomatic efforts to boost shaky Sino-Japan relations.Professor Nobu Iwatani from Japan's Hokkaido University was in China in September at the invitation of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ (CASS) Institute of Modern History for a two-week visit when he was detained for over two months under a 2014 espionage law in China, according to Japanese media.It was his second invitation from CASS. The previous visit a year ago incurred no problems.News of his detention in China only filtered out in Japanese media on 18 October, but even then he was not named. Iwatani, who has a considerable reputation as a scholar of the Sino-Japanese conflict of 1937-45, was released on 15 November.Details of the case continue to be vague in the public domain except for a public statement by the Japanese government when it pressed Beijing for his release. President Xi Jinping of China is scheduled to visit Japan next spring and both sides are keen to build warmer ties.Despite Iwatani’s release, Japanese scholars are responding by cancelling research visits to China, according to Japanese media.What has caused alarm was that Chinese official media suggests that Iwatani was arrested for possession of a ‘forbidden book’. The book in question, relating to the history of the Chinese Nationalists, the Kuomintang, was bought at a legitimate bookstore. No official charges were made public other than allegations that he had violated domestic laws.“Robust academic exchanges over the past few decades between the two countries were a spark in weak Japan-China relations. But the latest incident has dampened the atmosphere,” said Professor Satoshi Amako, an expert on Chinese contemporary politics at Waseda University in Japan and a member of the Association of Scholars Advocating Renewal of the Japan-China Relationship.In a public appeal, 40 members, including scholars and diplomats, jointly expressed “deep concern” and “shock beyond words” at Iwatani’s detention. Their letter was released on 29 October, addressed to the Chinese government demanding more information about the charges against the Japanese academic.“It is difficult for Japanese academics to conduct quality research without the right to freedom of expression, easy access to information and the ability to conduct interviews without interference,” said Amako.He added that under the current Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, who took over in 2012, the atmosphere in China for academic research has become more restricted, casting a shadow on future collaboration with Japan.But, explains Professor Akio Takahara, dean of the Graduate School of Public Policy at Japan’s University of Tokyo and another signatory of the protest letter, the reaction among academics in Japan signals the growing influence of this sector in Japan-China relations.“The detention is a lot more important in Japan than what China thinks and this is what we wanted to convey to Beijing” he said. Takahara referred to the role played by Japanese academics in 2013 when they appealed for calm following a clash between Japan and China regarding territorial claims by both sides over the Senkaku Islands or Diaoyu Islands, as they are known in China.He contends the role of academic exchange is to build understanding to promote stronger relations between Japan and China, and it is thus a core aspect of diplomatic bilateral relations.Joint research and close cooperation programmes between Japan and China’s universities are supported by the two governments to build bridges for further relations.But differences are obvious – Japanese researchers put a high value on individual objectives and intellectual and moral integrity. In China, however, state funds support academic research that is defined under the objective of serving national interests. Programmes are administered under the government and academia must follow party policy.Professor Futao Huang, researcher at the Research Institute for Higher Education at Hiroshima University in Japan, expresses anxiety over the current sombre mood among Japanese academics.“Japanese scholars, by avoiding field work in China, will have to rely on second-hand information, such as interviews with Chinese academics in Japan or past research. This is not good,” he said, pointing out the crucial importance of gaining trust between two countries that have different higher education systems.Japanese scholars view the latest detention as a threat to universally accepted values of freedom and democracy. In contrast, in China, the academic world is about supporting national interests, observed Huang.Indeed, against this backdrop, Professor Kazuki Okimura, who is the founder of the Sakura Science Club, the alumni association of the Sakura Science Program, under the government-funded Japan Science and Technology Agency, says the latest Japanese academic detention “will not hinder future projects”. He pointed out that of the 30,000 scientists registered in the exchange programme, Chinese researchers top the list at 10,000.Okimura stresses the need to beef up exchanges as China’s technology and science expertise advances. “The sharing of information between the two major countries in East Asia will only contribute to peace and prosperity in the region,” he explained. Follow University World News on Facebook



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