Have Chinese scholar's just put the breaks on an important Sino-Japanese joint history project for academic reasons, or were they ordered to do so by Beijign?
Could Japan be the critical flashpoint in the 2008 Olympic torch procession? If the actions of sponsors are anything to go by, the answer might well be YES.
It seems like only a couple of days ago since somebody in Japan said/did the last thing to "hurt the feelings of the Chinese people".From the pen of Stuart Biggs, BloombergYukio Hatoyama, secretary general of the opposition Democratic Party
As other countries tighten their import controls, America leaves the door wide open. Will this lead to the US becoming a dumping ground for dangerous Chinese goods?
As any China watcher will know, there two subjects that are guaranteed to get China all riled up. 1) The Dali Lama 2) Japan.
What do you suppose would happen if the Dali Lama were to visit Japan? Well, it looks like we're about to find out.
While the Japanese government long ago swore to uphold a policy of pacifism, and has made no aggressive moves against China for some 60 years, it would appear that the same cannot also be said for the Japanese business community.
Outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro has been invited to attend the opening of Taiwan's answer to the Shinkansen, and Beijing isn't happy about it. Apparently, train inaugurations promote separatism.
After nearly two decades of speculation, denial and counterclaims, the truth has come out. Bringing with it joy for moderates, and humiliation for extremists, in China and Japan alike.
For 364 1/2 days of the year, man-made Sagami lake, Kanagawa Prefecture, is a reservoir and a scenic beauty spot near Yokohama, but for one evening each year it becomes a memorial shrine to Chinese and Koreas prisoners who were forced to create it.
Although it is a taboo that it is not often spoken of in public, or at least in the presence of foreigners, one of the key dynamics in the turbulent Sino-Japanese relationship has always been Japan's close post-war relationship with the US.
Two of the world's most 'awkward' political relationships have been brought into the spotlight this month as yet another Israeli company stands accused of conspiring to provide China with 'better ways to kill US Citizens'.
Lesson 1: While Beijing might be keen to see Chinese artifact in foreign museums returned to the motherland, don't expect it to show solidarity if the roles are reversed.