In October 2008, Japanese Prime Minister Aso Taro visited Beijing with the purpose of celebrating the 30th anniversary of the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the People's Republic of China. At the reception, he remarked on his "personal conviction regarding Japan-China relations" as “sound competition and active cooperation will constitute a true "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests." Cosmetically, Chinese-Japanese relations were eased but none of the fundamental problems related to history and dispute territory had been resolved.
On September 7, 2010, a Chinese trawler, Minjinyu 5179, operating in disputed waters, collided with Japanese Coast Guard's patrol boats near the Senkaku Islands.Then Japanese Coast Guard (often abbreviated JCG) boats, including Yonakuni and Mizuki, collided with Minjinyu 5179, plus Hateruma and other JCG boats. The collision and Japan's subsequent detention of the skipper (Zhan Qixiong) resulted in a major diplomatic dispute between China and Japan.
Tensions over the Senkaku Islands (which the Chinese referred to as Diaoyu Islands) have risen since September 2012, when the Japanese government purchased three of the islets from a private Japanese owner, leading to widespread anti-Japan demonstrations in China. In September 2012, GeneralXu Caihou, vice chairman of theCentral Military Commission, said that the Chinese military was "prepared for any possible military combat,"Relations deteriorated further after the Japanese government purchase of the Senkaku islands, to the extent that China decided to skip IMF meetings held in Japan. Trade relations deteriorated badly during the latter half of 2012 and Chinese government aircraft intruded into disputed airspace for the first time since 1958.
Background Information of the Crisis
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy sent two gunboats to the disputed territory of Senkaku Islands/ Diaoyu Islands
The Japanese Prime Minister largely condemned Chinese government’s hostile act
South Sudan enforced military against Sudan in the disputed area of Abyei , Sudan in return also sent military forces to defend Abyei
The army from both sides clashed intensively and the a few South Sudanese weapons, which was seized by the Sudanese army, were found to be manufactured by Japan
Japanese Military Background
On December 13th 2013, Japan’s cabinet approved a new national security strategy and increased defense spending. Over the next five years, Japan will buy hardware including drone, stealth aircraft and amphibious vehicles, that also includes a new marine unit, an amphibious force capable of retaking islands
Current Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe constantly reaffirms his resolve to change nation’s pacifist constitution imposed by the United States after Japan’s defeat in World War II, which limits its military to self-defense and bans the use of force in settling international disputes