Overall Highlights

• The Setagaya murders remain a significant unresolved case in Japan, highlighting ongoing societal concerns.
• China’s historical grievances regarding Japan’s wartime actions continue to influence current relations and public sentiment.
• Recent military exercises by China around Taiwan have raised tensions, with Japan expressing concern over regional stability.
• Japan’s economic ties with China are under strain, as evidenced by the cancellation of a major CEO trip for the first time in 13 years.
• Both nations are navigating a complex relationship marked by historical issues and contemporary geopolitical tensions.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• The Setagaya murders are portrayed as a lingering issue for Japan, reflecting its struggles with unresolved crimes.
• China emphasizes the historical suffering of its people during WWII, particularly focusing on the atrocities committed by Japan’s Unit 731.
• China criticizes Japan’s military drills and comments regarding Taiwan, labeling them as hypocritical and provocative.
• Recent food poisoning incidents in Japan are reported, showing concern for public health and safety.
• China calls for Japan to retract comments made by its Prime Minister regarding Taiwan, indicating ongoing diplomatic tensions.

Japan Perspective (Japan Sources)

• Japan views China’s military exercises around Taiwan as a direct threat to regional security and stability.
• The cancellation of the annual trip by Japanese CEOs to China signals growing apprehension about the business environment in China.
• Japan’s media highlights the need for a careful approach to relations with China, considering historical grievances and current geopolitical dynamics.
• Japan’s government is concerned about the implications of China’s trade policies and military actions on its national security.
• The ongoing political rift in Taiwan is seen as a potential flashpoint that could affect Japan-China relations.

Sources

This summary is based on 20 articles from the following sources:

1. [en-US] 25 years on, unsolved Setagaya murders continue to haunt Japan - South China Morning Post (1/1/2026)
2. [en-US] ‘Rotten legs’: the Chinese victims of Unit 731 and Japan’s WWII biological warfare - South China Morning Post (12/31/2025)
3. [en-US] 5.7-magnitude earthquake strikes off Japan’s Iwate Prefecture - 新华网 (12/31/2025)
4. [en-US] China repeats call for retraction of Japanese PM’s Taiwan comments - China Daily (12/31/2025)
5. [en-US] 28 sickened in food poisoning in northeastern Japan - 新华网 (12/31/2025)
6. [en-US] Xi’s article on principles of key CPC plenum to be published - news.cgtn.com (12/31/2025)
7. [en-US] Comments by Japan, other countries on military drills around Taiwan hypocritical: Chinese spokesperson - 新华网 (12/31/2025)
8. [en-US] How China cracked US ‘super code’, health benefits of lard: 7 science highlights - South China Morning Post (12/31/2025)
9. [en-US] Chinese embassy urges citizens in Japan to drive safely in winter - 新华网 (12/31/2025)
10. [en-US] Beijing hits back at ‘extremely hypocritical’ critics of drills around Taiwan - South China Morning Post (12/31/2025)
11. [en-US] China signals military resolve with expanded exercises around Taiwan - Nikkei Asia (1/1/2026)
12. [en-US] Japan bullet train operator JR Central hopes to take maglev tech overseas - Nikkei Asia (12/31/2025)
13. [en-US] Belt and Road nations’ share of China trade surplus overtakes that of US - Nikkei Asia (12/31/2025)
14. [en-US] China imposes curbs on beef imports to protect domestic industry - Nikkei Asia (12/31/2025)
15. [en-US] Japan CEOs halt annual trip to China for first time in 13 years - The Japan Times (12/31/2025)
16. [en-US] Japan says Chinese military exercises around Taiwan ‘increase tensions’ - The Japan Times (12/31/2025)
17. [en-US] Taiwan’s DPP-KMT fight to spill into 2026 as political rift deepens - Nikkei Asia (12/31/2025)
18. [en-US] Critics within LDP hold fire on popular chief Takaichi - The Japan Times (12/31/2025)
19. [en-US] Eli Lilly-backed Insilico eyes beyond pharma with new AI models - Nikkei Asia (12/31/2025)
20. [en-US] Dangerous new equilibrium awaits Japan-China ties in 2026 - The Japan Times (12/31/2025)