Bilateral relations between Japan and China remain deeply strained two years after Tokyo nationalized three Senkaku islets in the East China Sea on Sept. 11, 2012. The Senkaku Islands, part of Okinawa Prefecture, are also claimed by Beijing, and tensions between the two countries triggered by Japan's move have spread to issues of historical perception and national security, and harmed economic ties and people's perception of each other. Leaders of both countries should feel a sense a crisis over the situation and take quick and concrete actions to repair bilateral ties.

The nationalization of the islets was carried out by the Democratic Party of Japan-led administration of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to block an attempt by then Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara, an anti-China hawk, to purchase them from their private owner. Although Noda's intention was to prevent damage to Japan-China ties, Beijing saw the move as a provocation on Japan's part, and waves of large-scale anti-Japanese demonstrations ensued in many Chinese cities.

China has repeatedly sent coast guard ships to waters near the Senkakus in an apparent attempt to challenge what it perceives as Japan's move to solidify its control over the islands through nationalization. Such acts have stoked fears in Japan that they are a precursor to an attempt by China to take the islands by force.