But problems persist. For example, in 2007, Nariaki Nakayama, a former Education Minister who made the outrageous claim that the Nanjing massacre was a "pure fabrication", led a successful campaign to remove all references to "comfort women" (sex slaves) from the country's junior high school textbooks.

The recent labor unrest in China has attracted a lot of media attention. It should come as little surprise that Japanese firms such as Honda are the targets of striking workers. Chinese employees of Japanese companies often complain about their treatment on the job. As one explained: "If I am going to work for a foreign company, I would much prefer an American or European firm because I will receive better pay and more respect." Such sentiments are not restricted to those who are employed by Japanese corporations. Some Chinese at both the elite and popular levels share a general perception that the Japanese people do not respect them or their country.

On a final note, many Chinese remain sensitive about Japan's attitude toward Taiwan. Officials at the highest ranks of Japan's government have unabashedly boasted that Tokyo's colonization of Taiwan (1895-1945) provided the island with numerous benefits - a claim that rankles Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Straits.

Moreover, it is noteworthy that Masaki Sato, Japan's unofficial envoy to Taipei, was expelled by Kuomintang leaders in May 2009 after he claimed that "Taiwan's status was still unclear." Taipei and Tokyo have also quarreled over the Diaoyu Islands in recent months. And there are reputable scholars both in Taiwan and the Chinese mainland who share the belief that Japan does not support the ongoing rapprochement between the two sides.

These are just a few examples. There are other issues that have the potential to put Beijing and Tokyo on a collision course. But Chinese leaders are working diligently to improve ties. It will be important for Tokyo's new leadership to appreciate Beijing's efforts, reciprocate these moves and recognize the need for the two countries to work together for mutual benefit.

The author is James F. Morris Professor of Political Science at Missouri State University, US.