Japanese movies have the potential to give fresh impetus to efforts by Tokyo and Beijing to warm political relations in 2017, as evidenced by the recent smash-hit animation "Your Name." in China.

Yoji Yamada, a prominent Japanese film director whose latest comedy's remake is to be premiered in China next spring, is one of many who imagine that could be the case.

"Following the blockbuster success of the animation, I strongly hope that many other Japanese movies will be available in China, and more and more Chinese films will be shown in Japan," Yamada said. "With such developments, I believe we Japanese will be able to get friendlier with Chinese people.