Japan opposed sanctions against China on day of Tiananmen crackdown

Japan decided to oppose the placing of sanctions on China by members of the Group of Seven industrialized countries on the day of Beijing's bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, according to diplomatic records declassified Wednesday.Concerned that it would isolate China internationally and about the potential for a worsening of bilateral ties, Japan decided on the course of action that day while preparing for the G-7 summit, held the following month in France.Japan was also initially opposed to adopting a joint G-7 declaration condemning Beijing's v…READ FULL ARTICLE