A high-profile push by Japan's new ruling Democratic party to forge closer ties with China has failed to prevent rising diplomatic friction between the two Asian powers over nuclear disarmament and naval operations in the seas that divide them.
In a strikingly direct personal criticism, China at the weekend denounced Katsuya Okada, Japan's foreign minister, for making “irresponsible” remarks about Beijing's nuclear deterrent policy during a meeting with Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi.
The same meeting also involved a robust exchange of views on a series of incidents involving vessels of the Chinese People's Liberation Army navy and Japan's Maritime Self-Defence Force that have prompted public diplomatic complaints from both sides in recent weeks.