China–Japan relations

China–Japan relations, or Sino-Japanese relations, refer to the diplomatic, economic, and historical ties between the two nations, separated by the East China Sea. Historically, Japan was heavily influenced by Chinese culture, but after the Meiji Restoration (1868), it embraced Westernization and saw Qing China as weak, leading to conflicts like the First and Second Sino-Japanese Wars.

Today, China and Japan are among the world's largest economies and major trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching $266.4 billion in 2023. Despite strong economic ties, relations are strained by geopolitical disputes, wartime history, and territorial issues, such as the Senkaku Islands dispute. Controversies over Japan’s wartime actions, visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, and differing historical narratives continue to fuel tensions. While efforts have been made to improve relations, longstanding disagreements remain.