i dont know anything but this seemed to me like someone hedging their bets
There are factions in Japan that are very China-obsessed, and constantly talk about "Kanji civilization" (kanji bunmei) or "Kanji cultural sphere" (kanji bunkaken). But since Koizumi's administration, they've been pushed into the sidelines. It looks like some are trying to assert themselves again.
kanji = Chinese characters, which the Chinese, Japanese and Koreans (to a lesser extent) use. Chinese characters have a very strong pyschological influence on the entire region (like the Latin alphabet in the West or Arabic script in Middle East). Arguably also one of the strongest unifying force within China.