ABSTRACT
This chapter covers US President Richard Nixon’s unexpected 1971 announcement that he would be visiting the People’s Republic of China and the effects this had on Japanese politics. The incumbent government of Satō Eisaku, having been caught off guard, belatedly made attempts to contact the Chinese government. These were unsuccessful, however, as previous efforts on behalf of Taiwan had earned Satō the enmity of the Chinese leadership. Meanwhile, Tanaka Kakuei began educating himself on relations with China in anticipation of becoming prime minister. Moreover, the chapter discusses the 1972 Liberal Democratic Party presidential election and the role that normalizing relations with China played in it.
