At the grassroots level at the very least, nationalistic sentiment appears to be rearing its head in Japan and China over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. The islands are effectively controlled by Japan but are claimed by both China and Taiwan.
Tensions escalated after Japan deported 14 people who sailed to Uotsuri Islet aboard a ship from Hong Kong on Aug. 15. Seven of them set foot on the islet. As if to retaliate against the 14, 10 Japanese including five local assembly members landed on the islet on Aug. 19.. In China, anti-Japan demonstrations have taken place.
Both the Japanese and Chinese governments are exercising self-restraint over the Senkaku issue. This is a wise approach that should be maintained throughout. Both governments should do their most to prevent provocative actions by their citizens. They should not rule out the possibility that in the worst case, repeated landings by each country's citizens on the Senkaku Islands, could lead to an unexpected violent clash.