As elsewhere, the PRC also softened its approach to Japan. Jettisoning its earlier calls upon the Japanese Communist Party to confront the Americans, the PRC responded to Prime Minister Yoshida’s interest in resuming economic ties in a small way in 1952. A Sino-Soviet joint approach in October 1954 raised the tempo to allow also for people-to-people diplomacy. But , unlike the Soviet Union, the PRC was unable to press ahead towards normalization because of Tokyo’s recognition of Taipei. And it was that link that was publicized by the first ever visit to Taiwan by a Japanese prime minister, Kishi Nobusuke, in the different atmosphere of 1957 that led to a downgrading of relations the following year.