The diplomatic row and anti-Japanese sentiments in China over the Senkaku Islands dispute may become a prolonged issue as long as perception gaps remain between the two countries, a scholar said at a recent seminar in Tokyo.

Aside from the sheer question of sovereignty over the island chain in the East China Sea, Japanese and Chinese leaders take opposite views on how the strained ties can be restored, said Zhu Yan, a professor of political science and economics at Takushoku University in Tokyo. The issue will not just go away — as might be expected in some quarters in Japan —with China's leadership change last month, he said.

Zhu, an expert on Chinese and Asian economic issues, was speaking at a seminar organized by the Keizai Koho Center on Nov. 21.