53 years ago today, on July 7, 1972 (May 27, 1972, the lunar calendar), Tanaka Kakuei was elected Prime Minister of Japan, and Sino-Japanese relations were normalized. Kakuei Tanaka was elected Prime Minister of Japan and normalized Sino-Japanese relations Premier Zhou toasted to Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka On July 7, 1972, Kakuei Tanaka was elected Prime Minister of Japan. Then he immediately announced that he would speed up the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan. On July 9, Premier Zhou said in his speech at a banquet welcoming the government delegation of the Democratic People's Republic of Yemen: "Tanaka Kakuei's cabinet was established on the 7th. On the diplomatic front, it stated that it would speed up the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan. This is welcome." China's rapid response greatly exceeded Japan's expectations and greatly encouraged the Tanaka cabinet. On July 12, Premier Zhou authorized Ji Pengfei to issue a statement: The Premier of China welcomed and invited Prime Minister Tanaka to visit China to hold talks and resolve the issue of diplomatic relations between China and Japan. This further strengthened Tanaka's determination to visit China. At the same time, Premier Zhou reported everything to Chairman Mao and received Chairman Mao's support. In order to make the work foolproof, the Prime Minister appointed Ji Pengfei, Qiao Guanhua, Liao Chengzhi, Han Nianlong and others to form the Japan Group. The Prime Minister received foreign guests during the day. At that time, many Japanese friends visited China. At night, Ji Pengfei and others would go to Xihua Hall or Diaoyutai for meetings to study the issue of establishing diplomatic relations between China and Japan, or they would go to Chairman Mao's residence in Zhongnanhai for a meeting and report to the Chairman. After deciding on the major policies at the chairman's office, the Prime Minister came back and studied and arranged them together with Ji Pengfei and others. The Prime Minister asked about everything and thought about it one by one. Due to clear policies and appropriate methods, it took only 81 days from July 7 to sign the China-Japan Joint Statement in Beijing to establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level. It was so fast that it not only surprised the United States and the Soviet Union, but also amazed observers from all over the world. Premier Zhou combines a high degree of principle with flexibility, and is meticulous, impeccable and impressive. At 11:30 a.m. on September 25, Prime Minister Tanaka and Foreign Minister Ohira arrived at the Beijing Airport and were welcomed by Premier Zhou. At 1:50 pm, Premier Zhou and Prime Minister Tanaka held their first meeting in the reception hall of the National People's Congress Hall. Tian Zhong talked about the delicious Moutai at noon. The Prime Minister said: Moutai is better than "vodka" and does not reach the head. Drinking a little when you are tired can be exciting. If you think it tastes good, we will send you some and change your "whiskey" to Maotai. Everyone knows that vodka is produced in the Soviet Union and whiskey is produced in the United States. The Prime Minister's words made everyone laugh. The talks were held in a relaxed and cordial atmosphere. This is Premier Zhou's consistent style, first of all, to create a good atmosphere. Later, Premier Zhou clearly and briefly clarified China's position. The Japanese Prime Minister said: I fully understand. On September 27, Chairman Mao met with Prime Minister Tanaka. On the 29th, the China-Japan Joint Communique was successfully signed in the National People's Congress Hall. China-Japan relations have opened a new chapter. On August 27, 1992, Tanaka Kakuei, who had resigned as prime minister, took a special plane to visit Beijing. According to Tanaka's hope, he was riding in the Hongqi sedan he had ridden in 20 years ago and still stayed at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. On the way from the airport to Diaoyutai, former Prime Minister Tanaka was full of red light and stared at everything along the way outside the car window. Driving to Tiananmen Square, former Prime Minister Tanaka kept pointing at the Great Hall of the People. This was the place where he held historic talks with Premier Zhou Enlai 20 years ago and signed the China-Japan Joint Statement on September 29, announcing to the world that China-Japan diplomatic relations are normalized. When the car drove to Diaoyutai Building 12, former Prime Minister Tanaka looked around inside and outside with a very excited expression. After a short break, he took a wheelchair to the courtyard accompanied by his family to revisit the clear water, green trees, towers and pavilions in the Diaoyutai courtyard. Because he suffered from cerebrovascular disease seven years ago, he could not express his feelings in words. However, judging from his expressions, gestures and reactions, it can be seen how excited this generation of great politicians who turned things around in the development of Sino-Japanese relations was. On the afternoon of August 28, Premier Li Peng met with and hosted a banquet for former Prime Minister Tanaka, his wife and their party at the Great Hall of the People. On the afternoon of the same day, former Prime Minister Tanaka was very happy to meet Wang Zhen, Vice President of the State and Honorary President of the China-Japan Friendship Association. The two were so happy that they shook hands for a long time and refused to let go. On the afternoon of August 29, General Secretary Jiang Zemin cordially met with former Prime Minister Tanaka and his party in Zhongnanhai. On December 16, 1993, Tanaka Kakuei passed away in Tokyo due to illness at the age of 75. Mao Zedong met with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka