Nagoya Aims to Mend Ties with Nanjing Amid Public Caution and Calls for Sincerity

Nagoya's Mayor Hirozawa Ichiro recently expressed his hopes to resume exchanges with Nanjing, a significant overture after a decade of suspended official ties. The severance came after former Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura's controversial denial of the Nanjing Massacre in 2012, which deeply strained relations between the two sister cities. Mayor Hirozawa's statement marks a pivot towards reconciliation, aligning with the Japanese government's acknowledgment of the atrocities committed by Japanese forces in Nanjing.

The move has elicited a mixed but predominantly cautious response on Chinese social media. Many users stress the importance of sincerity and tangible actions from Nagoya, calling for a formal apology and concrete measures to address the historical grievances. The collective memory of the Nanjing Massacre and the national sentiment it evokes underline the public's skepticism towards the resumption of ties without genuine repentance.

Nevertheless, some suggest a phased, conditional approach to restoring relations, beginning with accepting Mayor Hirozawa's forthcoming visit and personal letter, followed by requests for a clearer historical stance from Nagoya. This gradual restoration could start with less politically sensitive areas like economic or environmental cooperation, contingent on Nagoya's commitment to respecting the "historical red line" of not denying past atrocities.

Mayor Hirozawa's acknowledgment of the massacre, contrasting sharply with his predecessor's denial, is seen as the bare minimum for initiating dialogue on restoring ties. The broader political and diplomatic implications of this move could set a precedent for other Japanese cities facing similar historical disputes, highlighting the role of city-to-city engagement in easing international tensions.

The resumption of exchanges promises to foster cultural understanding and economic collaboration between the two cities, potentially reopening avenues for trade, investment, and joint initiatives in areas like green development. However, the success of this reconciliation effort hinges on the sincerity perceived by Nanjing and the wider Chinese public, emphasizing the need for sustained goodwill gestures from Nagoya to rebuild trust.

As Nagoya navigates this delicate path towards reconciliation, the public sentiment underscores the importance of historical memory and national pride in shaping the trajectory of Sino-Japanese relations. Mayor Hirozawa's initiative, while a step forward, is just the beginning of a long journey towards healing the deep wounds of history and restoring a friendship marred by the shadows of the past.