China-Japan conflict: How two Asian giants learned to share a sea, then fought over Taiwan

Despite being two of Asia’s largest powers and most interdependent economies, China and Japan remain locked in a long, uneasy relationship shaped by rivalry, history and strategic mistrust. Every so often, a new flashpoint pushes old suspicions to the surface, reminding both sides how fragile their ties can be. The latest tensions are part of this familiar pattern, exposing how quickly diplomatic friction can spill into public sentiment, markets and regional stability. At its core, the current strain reflects deeper anxieties: shifting military balances, unresolved historical wounds, and the ever-sensitive question of Taiwan. These pressures sit beneath the surface of the relationship, resurfacing whenever political rhetoric hardens or security concerns intensify. As both cou