Actions don't match words

Japan lacks sincerity in improving relations with China and its growing militarism is causing concern in the region

The so-called purchase of the Diaoyu Islands by the Yoshihiko Noda government had a serious impact on the mutual trust between China and Japan. But after Japan's Liberal Democratic Party won a landslide victory in the House of Representatives election and Shinzo Abe became prime minister for the second time, China asked the new government to show sincerity and solve the dispute with China through negotiation.

Japan has made some positive responses, with Abe stating that the relationship between Japan and China is one of the most important bilateral ties for Japan, and China is an indispensable partner for Japan's economic growth. The new Japanese Ambassador to China Masato Kitera also said that the deadlock in bilateral relations would not help Japan's economy and the people of the two countries, and he said improving the bilateral relationship will be his top priority.