Akihito expected to offer China a 'non-apology': Japan's Emperor walks a diplomatic tightrope on his historic visit to Peking, writes Terry McCarthy in Tokyo

EMPEROR AKIHITO arrives in Peking today for the first visit by a Japanese emperor to China in the 2,000-year history of Japan's imperial line. The Emperor will not carry his own suitcases, but he brings with him a good deal of historical baggage.

The relationship between Peking and Tokyo is crucial for Asia's future. But in the eyes of the world the visit will turn on what words of apology the Emperor will or will not utter for Japanese atrocities in China 50 years ago.

In the name of Emperor Hirohito, Akihito's father, Japanese troops waged an eight-year war against China, leaving millions dead and a legacy of bitterness that still causes many Chinese today to speak of their 'hatred' for Japan. At a banquet to be hosted by China's President, Yang Shangkun, Emperor Akihito will seek to express mild words of regret for the atrocities, without making an abject apology which would infuriate influential right- wingers in Japan.

The Emperor is to spend three days in Peking, then fly to Xian and Shanghai. His speech at the banquet has already been written for him by the government, but because of the sensitivity of the 'non-apology', its contents have been kept strictly secret. 'If it leaks in advance, commit hara- kiri,' bureaucrats involved in drafting the speech were reportedly told.

But there is a deeper significance to the visit. As the former Soviet Union and the United States withdraw from Asia, China and Japan face each other for the first time in 50 years. Asia's prosperity and stability depends largely on whether the two regional superpowers can co-exist.

Last week, Emperor Akihito said that 'in recent times there was a period of unfortunate history' between China and Japan. But he stressed historical and cultural ties - with the implication that these should be the basis of relations.

Despite Japan's frequent assertions that its culture is homogenous and unique, much has been taken from China: the ideographs used in the writing system, temple designs, Confucian ethics, chopsticks. Even the intricate kimono was originally imported from China. The Emperor pays homage to this legacy.

The imperial party hopes that the 'unfortunate history' will not be played on too much by their Chinese hosts. And despite a Chinese survey indicating that 90 per cent of the Chinese want a clear apology from the Emperor, and a petition signed by 300,000 people demanding war reparations, Peking seems willing to gloss over the issue of an apology.

China's leaders are more interested in increasing the supplies of Japanese technology and investment. Japanese business with China is booming, and this year China is set to become Japan's second-largest trading partner after the US, with bilateral trade worth some pounds 15bn.

In the long run, both countries aspire to be the leaders of Asia - China through its size, population and growing military power, Japan through its technological and economic superiority. For now they are looking for a mutually acceptable balance of power. Emperor Akihito's task is to open this new era.

Senior members of the Japanese ruling party's most powerful faction named Keizo Obuchi the new leader to replace Shin Kanemaru, who resigned last week, but opponents refused to accept the decision, AP reports.