China and Japan Try City-Level Diplomacy Amid Cold Relations

Tokyo Gov. Yoichi Masuzoe will visit China from April 24 to 27 to meet with Beijing Mayor Wang Anshun to discuss a range of matters of mutual concern to their cities. Masuzoe's trip comes at a time of distrust between the two historical rivals: China is attempting to carve out a sphere of influence, and Japan is attempting to revive its "great power" status and normalize its military. The friction has played out across maritime territory, airspace, trade, investment, diplomacy and history, and the underlying conflict shows little sign of abating even if initiatives like Masuzoe's lead to temporary improvements.