For the first time since October 2000, a Chinese leader is coming to Japan. Premier Wen Jiabao will visit Tokyo and the Kansai area from Wednesday to Friday.

Japan-China relations made a turnaround for the better with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to China last autumn. The goal for the Chinese leader's visit, for both Japan and China, is to impress upon the public of the two countries that relations are indeed improving, and to strengthen that trend.

With Abe's China visit, both countries agreed to create strategic and mutually beneficial relations. This probably means that the two countries, despite their different political systems, will pursue common goals from a wide perspective. What types of mutual benefits are tangibly possible? In what areas, and with what kind of cooperation?

The two leaders will discuss the contents and direction of the relations, and seek to incorporate their agreements into a joint document.

Wen will also take the podium at the Diet and address the Japanese people. Furthermore, he is scheduled to visit the historical sites of Kyoto to get a feel of Japan's history and culture.

First of all, we welcome the fact that the leaders of Japan and China have resumed visiting each other.

More than anything, visits by national leaders raise public awareness in both countries, and are good opportunities for the people to erase misunderstandings and distrust. Such visits also show that actual efforts are being made to improve relations.

Japan is concerned about China's military growth. China has increased its military spending by double-digits continuously for the past 19 years, and Beijing used a ground-based medium-range ballistic missile to explode an old weather satellite in orbit.

China, meanwhile, is concerned about Japan revising the Constitution and reverting to a normal country with a military that takes part in warfare. Added to this is the issue of history perceptions.

It is difficult to remove these germs of mistrust all at once. But the mutual visits by the countries' leaders are most meaningful when the leaders express the major merits of improved Japan-China relations, as well as declare their firm convictions that they will overcome conflicting interests and different perceptions.

Indeed many of the agendas shared by China and Japan would benefit all if the two countries cooperate. Japan and China share anxiety over North Korea's nuclear program. The two countries also should cooperate in many other areas, such as environmental issues, energy saving and global warming arising out of economic progress.

If one considers the need for regional progress and safety, including the creation of an East Asian Community, it is all too evident that cooperation, not conflict, should be sought.

The U.S. strategy toward China is to persuade it to take on a responsible role in international affairs. In December, the United States sent seven Cabinet members to participate in the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue in Beijing. The U.S. tactics are to make strong demands upon China, while pursuing mutual benefits for both countries.

Japan also needs to further dialogue and cooperation so that China's future will benefit Japan and the region. The other Asian countries, anxious about China's increasing importance, including its military buildup, no doubt expect Japan to play that role.

Japan-China relations were seriously damaged during former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's time in office. We would like the Chinese premier's visit to send a message to the world that the two countries are serious about repairing the rift and about taking further steps for better ties.

--The Asahi Shimbun