After World War II ended , the relationship between China and Japan gradually improved . However , since 2000 , Japan has seen a gradual resurgence of anti-Chinese sentiments . Many Japanese believe that China is using the issue of the countries ' checkered history , such as the Japanese history textbook controversies , many past war crimes committed by Japan 's military , and official visits to the Yasukuni Shrine ( at which a number of war criminals are enshrined ) , both as a diplomatic card and to make Japan a scapegoat in domestic politics . The Anti-Japanese Riots in Spring of 2005 also were a source of more anger towards China within the Japanese public . Anti-Chinese sentiments in Japan have been on a sharp rise since 2002 . According to Pew Global Attitude Project ( 2008 ) , unfavorable view of China was 84 % , unfavorable view of Chinese people was 73 % , the most Sinophobic perception from any other country in the world
war crimes committed by Japan 's military
Japanese war crimes
Sinophobia