The resentment over the occupation of Chinese cities prior to and during WW2 would be very hard to forget, including those of Korean descent. But thought all of these nations had trade agreements and prospering together. So much for my information.

Is this just about the islands, or is it economic competition? Does it have anything to do with the recent agreements for the Japanese to work on producing things for the American military?

Any information would be welcome. I hope there will be a quick resolution to this. That was a sad story there of someone feeling they might be attacked for the brand of their auto.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021358704
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=1375621

Basically its about the island. The Japanese Government bought the Island from a Japanese family. China said Japan had no right, and said the Islands were technically theirs.. (Yet, they allowed a Japanese family live there? And..the family does own the island.) I was speculating it was about fishing rights as well. There was a story about Chinese fishing boats going there, despite protests from Japan and they were guarded by Armed boats. It maybe over fishing rights, if the islands belonged to Japan, than they would be crossing into Japanese Territorial waters to go fishing. But this has become really messed up...

Here is more..
http://www.anime-island.org/?p=2722

Photos of destruction by Chinese protesters.
http://blog.esuteru.com/archives/6609419.html

Lots of gas fields have been found along the maritime boundary between Japan and China, and the Senkaku Islands are also believed to be promising areas for natural gas.

http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/naha/VOL00/about/img/gasuden.pdf

The fishing flotilla seems to be mostly an intimidation tactic.

It's interesting to note that some Russian experts have speculated that if war broke out between China and Japan over these islands, the Chinese military would be annihilated in 1 or 2 weeks.

http://alfalfalfa.com/archives/5936137.html

If embassies become targets, the question becomes why would countries want to continue to have them in foreign countries which essentially attack them.

Among the stories covered: One supermarket chain in China had just started selling some Japanese foods earlier this month, but the boycott has resulted in zero sales and the contract to buy more Japanese foods was cancelled.