HONG KONG -- The visit to China this week by Japan's defense minister, Shigeru Ishiba, reflects an improved relationship between the two countries as well as the fact that little is being done to address underlying problems.
On the surface, relations between the two countries are better than ever. Japan has long been China's most important trading partner, and now China has replaced the United States as the biggest source of Japanese imports. Beginning this month, China will waive visa requirements for Japanese tourists and business people for 15 days.
However, the relationship is beset by problems. Ishiba's predecessor, Gen Nakatani, had been scheduled to visit Beijing in April last year, but that trip was canceled after Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi angered China by paying yet another visit to Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japanese war dead, including Class A war criminals.