Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to China on Oct. 26 broke new ground for Sino-Japanese relations. While the visit could be noted as a success in terms of resetting the previously frozen relationship, under the surface diplomatic relations between China and Japan remain largely unchanged.
Abe's visit to China raised new speculation on where Sino-Japanese relations will be headed in 2019. Despite the obvious warming of Sino-Japanese relations, Abe still hasn't returned the relationship to its pre-2012 state. Nor is returning the relationship to the pre-2012 high likely given Japan's recent announcement that it would improve its maritime defense capabilities by transforming its Izumo class into aircraft carriers, and Japan's decision to shut out Chinese-made devices from government procurement. Sino-Japanese relations are poised for turbulence this year.