China’s Row With Japan Threatens to Escalate

The collision of a small fishing vessel with a coastal patrol vessel of another nation should be a minor incident with a quick resolution. But common sense doesn’t prevail when politicians and media of either nation have long stoked nationalistic fervor among their citizens. A September collision, in waters with ownership disputed by China and Japan, immediately ignited anger, calls for military drills and currency retaliation. Government leaders who rely on nationalism for popular support and distractions from domestic difficulties confront the risk of appearing weak when they don’t follow through on public claims or threats. Some Chinese bloggers express weariness with the tendency of leaders to repeatedly whip up emotions over World War II and historical brutalities – rather than resolve the old differences and move into a new era of cooperation. – YaleGlobal