Judging by the frequent overheated rhetoric coming out of parts of the Japanese media, you'd think Japan and China were heading toward war.
Of course, none of those now beating the drums for war will ever be drafted to fight. They are confident that, whatever happens, they're part of the privileged class that will still be alive, and prospering, when the shooting is over.
This is not to imply the warmongers are correct. However, given the rise in alarmist rhetoric of late, it's clearer than ever that relations with China are far too important to be left to the likes of the Foreign and Defense ministries, let alone politicians or the media.