CaryC comments

The disputable islands have been disputable for decades. Given the big picture both Japan and China need each other at least in economic terms, keeping the issue of the disputable islands low-profile suits both best at the moment, until both the two countries become mature enough to sit down and talk about it. But Japan opened the lid first. No matter what the strategic or tactical motivations behind it, this would and did provoke an ever more assertive China. Though some rioting behaviors from the Chinese mass are condemnatory, the intention of the Chinese gov. and people should not be mistaken here: they won't let go the islands. I would love to think the Japanese premier made his decision with a profound thinking, and if not, then he must be stupid enough to be voted out of his office.