With Japan-China will always remain suspicious because of the bad past and unwillingness of the succeeding governments in Japan to openly apologise. Even if Tokyo could apologise for its past errors - it will not heal the wounds. In my view, Japan has apologised many times but China remains unhappy. So long as the 1940 group remains in power in Beijing, they will continue to demand for a written apology.
China is fearful of a strong Japan. A rearmed Japan will send shivers down the Japanese spine. If you accept this line of thinking - then Japan has to adopt a more friendly approach towards Beijing.
China is realistic in its policy towards Japan. It knows it cannot rein in Japan politically and make Japan its client state or an ally. But what China wants most is a Japan that is neutral and one which is not a proxy of its strategic rival - the US. A militarily weak Japan is China's major strategic objective - remember the philosophy： No two tigers in the same jungle. A friendly Japan is what China seeks assurance for.
There are some perceptions that Tokyo is getting less attention from Washington. In the same breadth, there are those who believe Washington is more keen to adopt a more friendly approach towards Beijing.
My views are slightly different.
Washington is posturing. Despite its complaint about Japanese economic problem, the trade deficits and aggressive marketing strategies, Washington knows that Japan has been a tested ally for the last 50 years - that is very long in international relations.
