Commentary on the Need to Explicitly Raise the Issue of Normalizing Diplomatic Relations with Japan [1] (September 14, 1955)  Read by Premier Zhou; returned to Mao. It seems advisable to put forward the normalization of diplomatic relations with Japan as the primary issue, since there already exists a broad public consensus on this matter in Japan. Although the Japanese government is currently reluctant to discuss the issue in practice, we can use it as leverage to press them. Please give this due consideration.  Mao Zedong September 14 Based on the manuscript.  Notes [1] This commentary was written on a document concerning the reactions of Japanese figures to the statement made on August 16, 1955, by a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry regarding the Japanese government’s so-called proposal to repatriate Japanese nationals remaining on the Chinese mainland.