June 4, 1989
China Division, Asian Affairs Bureau [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan], 'Use of Force by Chinese Martial Law Forces (Questions and Answers)'
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Operations Room Information for Transmission
Subject: Use of Force by Chinese Martial Law Forces (Questions and Answers)
Date and Time of Transmission: June 4 (Sunday) 12:20
Number of Pages for Transmission: 2
Transmitting Section: China Division, Asian Affairs Bureau
Message: Questions and Answers as of the Morning of June 4
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| Executive Secretary to the Prime Minister | 1 |
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| Secretary to Minister Miyamoto | 5 |
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○ | Deputy Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kuriyama | 8 |
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Use of Force by Chinese Martial Law Forces (Questions and Answers)
June 4, 1989
China Division, Asian Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Question 1: What is your perception of the present situation in China?
Answer 1: It is a matter of great concern that in China, under circumstances of prolonged anti-government activities by students and civilians and the imposition of martial law, the military used force early in the morning of June 4 to suppress them, which led to a situation of horrible bloodshed.
[Answer] 2: The background to the government's action of military suppression is not entirely clear and the situation in China is still unsettled, so I think it necessary for the Government of Japan, first, to carefully ascertain the issue's development.
Question 2: Will this affect China's policy of reform and opening?
Answer: I would like to avoid any hasty conclusions concerning what effects this situation will have on the Chinese government's policy of reform and opening but, in any event, it is thought to be undeniable that it has greatly damaged China's international image.
Question 3: Will there be any change in Japan's China policy?
Answer: The situation in China is still unsettled. I think it necessary, first, that the Government of Japan carefully ascertain the situation's development.
Report from the China Division, Asian Affairs Bureau of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 4, 1989 detailing Japan’s response to the use of force by Chinese martial law forces following the Tiananmen Square incident.
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