Chapter 575 Reaching a Consensus
Japan had wanted to stand firm, but the gap in strength forced it to bow its head. Thus, Minister Kade once again received Japanese diplomatic officials.
Kade welcomed the same Japanese diplomat from last time, Kudo Yasu, with a cheerful smile. Seeing the gloomy expression on Kudo's face only made Kade happier.
"Mr. Kudo, we meet again."
"Yes indeed, Minister Kade. This time, you have finally gotten your wish. Congratulations to you," Kudo Yasu said through gritted teeth.
"Hahaha, not at all, not at all! So, has your government agreed to our proposal?" Kade asked.
Kudo Yasu sighed and replied, "Yes. In consideration of the friendship between our two nations, the Japanese government has decided to make concessions regarding the Sakishima Islands issue."
Kade emphasized, "The Southern Ryukyu Islands."
"Let's not argue over the name for now. This is our bottom line, otherwise it would be difficult to explain things to our people. And after reaching this agreement, I will probably become a sinner in Japan and my political career will likely suffer because of it."
That was what Kudo Yasu said, though in all likelihood he simply would not remain in Japan's Foreign Ministry anymore. After all, surrendering the Southern Ryukyu Islands would definitely force him into temporary retirement before being transferred to another department. Since it was the Japanese government's decision, he could hardly be expected to shoulder the blame alone, especially since he had not made any principled mistakes.
Hearing the hidden meaning in Kudo's words, Kade did not pay it much mind. This was a difference in national power, unrelated to diplomacy itself. Diplomacy required national strength as support; otherwise, the one embarrassed today would probably have been him instead.
Still, out of professional courtesy, he comforted him:
"Mr. Kudo Yasu need not take it too seriously. We are both diplomats, and we all know this profession is not easy. I believe the Japanese government will not mistreat you. After all, some things simply cannot be changed. This is not your fault."
Crocodile tears, Kudo thought inwardly, but he still continued the conversation:
"Heh, I'm not such a pessimistic person, Minister Kade, so there's no need to comfort me. However, such a major concession from our side does not come without conditions."
"As long as the conditions are not excessive, we can consider them. Please state them first, Mr. Kudo Yasu, and then we can negotiate further," Kade said. Having already achieved the result he wanted, he naturally intended to give the other side some face.
Kudo Yasu did not waste words. Diplomacy tolerated no carelessness, nor could personal emotions be mixed into it. Of course, diplomacy revolved around interaction, much like making friends. As the saying goes, "Man proposes, Heaven disposes," so emotional appeals were also indispensable.
"The Japanese government's demands mainly consist of the following three points.
"First, regarding the naming issue of the Sakishima Islands, we will not change our terminology. The Sakishima Islands have inseparable historical and cultural ties with Japan, so this name must be preserved."
This was understandable enough. East Africa had effectively snatched a piece of fat meat right out of Japan's mouth, so naturally Japan was unwilling to accept it. Still, Kade would not agree so casually.
He said to Kudo:
"The naming issue can be viewed separately. If you wish to continue using that name yourselves, we have no objection. However, East Africa will continue using the term Southern Ryukyu Islands, since that was the original name inherited from the Ryukyu Kingdom itself."
As for the Ryukyu Kingdom's geographical naming conventions, they naturally followed the standards of the Far Eastern Empire. Tributary states within that cultural sphere derived their legitimacy from imperial investiture by the Far Eastern Empire. Korea, Annam, and Japan were all examples of this, reflecting the thorough spread of Sinicization. By contrast, terms like "barbarians" or "savages" were derogatory labels.
On the other hand, countries recognized and invested by the Far Eastern Empire would have their names translated according to refined linguistic conventions.
Thus, for tributary states of the Far Eastern Empire, naming conventions were essentially a mutually accepted arrangement. The translation of the Ryukyu Kingdom's name followed the empire's established standards without issue. East Africa was merely continuing local traditions in its naming practices.
Of course, another reason was simply convenience for Ernst's memory. Hearing "Southern Ryukyu Islands," Ernst could immediately identify the approximate location, whereas "Sakishima Islands" left him completely confused.
Kudo Yasu said helplessly, "Can't even such a small request be granted?"
Kade replied:
"Each side can simply use its own preferred name. It's not as though there is an internationally recognized standard anyway. For example, the Netherlands' official name is 'Nederland,' yet other countries habitually call it Holland. So this issue is insignificant and need not become a point of contention between us. At worst, both names can be used in the agreement."
Kudo Yasu nodded. "Very well. We can reluctantly accept that result. Now for the second point: sovereignty over the Miyako Strait must belong to Japan."
If the first demand had merely been an extra condition, then the second was Japan's true objective.
What were the two major strategic functions of the Southern Ryukyu Islands?
First, they connected with Danwan Island, forming an important part of the First Island Chain used to blockade the Far Eastern mainland.
Second, they controlled the Miyako Strait, a crucial maritime passage.
Of course, the strait itself was not especially important to East Africa. The Miyako Strait was not a narrow choke point like the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait; it was actually quite broad. Moreover, aside from the Miyako Strait, the entire First Island Chain looked solid at first glance but in reality was full of gaps, with many alternative routes available.
Thus, the so-called First Island Chain promoted by the United States in a previous life had enormous loopholes. Truly blockading the Far Eastern Empire would require deploying enough naval forces to fill all those gaps. But the United States could never concentrate its entire global navy solely to confront the Far East. In the twenty-first century, such a strategy was also fundamentally flawed, since using missiles against warships was extremely cost-effective.
What truly constrained the Far Eastern Empire were actually the Strait of Malacca and the Strait of Hormuz. However, the United States did not control Hormuz outright, and Iran was not a country to be trifled with either.
Therefore, Kade said:
"The sovereignty issue regarding the Miyako Strait can be discussed, but East Africa must have free passage rights as well as the right to jointly develop the area."
Kade's approach was once again a compromise. Japan could retain the nominal title, while East Africa would still enjoy the practical benefits.
Kudo Yasu pondered for a moment before replying, "Agreed."
East Africa was already entrenched in the Southern Ryukyu Islands and clearly had no intention of leaving. Even if Japan wanted exclusive control over the Miyako Strait, it was no longer realistically possible. Still, by keeping sovereignty in Japanese hands, Japan could at least preserve the initiative.
And that initiative naturally referred to wartime initiative. Japan had no intention of generously gifting the Southern Ryukyu Islands to East Africa. At present, East Africa was simply too powerful, forcing Japan to make concessions. But once Japan grew stronger in the future, it still intended to reclaim them.
Kudo Yasu continued:
"The third point concerns public opinion. We have ceded the Southern Ryukyu Islands, but it would be difficult to explain this to our citizens. Therefore, the sovereignty issue over the Southern Ryukyu Islands should be temporarily shelved and defined as an area of undetermined sovereignty."
"That will not be necessary," Kade replied. "The sovereignty of the Southern Ryukyu Islands belongs to the Far Eastern Empire. We have already discussed this matter with them and signed an agreement. We are merely administering the territory on their behalf."
East Africa had intervened in the Southern Ryukyu Islands under the banner of the Far Eastern Empire from the very beginning, so there was no dispute on this point. Any disagreement would be between Japan and the Far Eastern Empire, not East Africa.
Thus, Kade had no intention of entangling himself further in this issue, and Japan was equally content with that outcome. After all, the Far Eastern Empire was far easier to negotiate with than East Africa.
(End of Chapter)