Although Tokyo is ready to welcome the first state visit by a US president in 18 years to manifest the solid US-Japan alliance, observers said leaders of the two states will battle negative undercurrents that could undermine their firm relationship.
China says that "in view of the wrong words and deeds by the Japanese leaders" the naval representatives of the two countries are not expected to meet during the upcoming Western Pacific Naval Symposium in East China.
A total of seven vessels arrived at the port of Qingdao in East China's Shandong province on Sunday morning ahead of the 14th annual meeting of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS), which the PLA's navy is expected to launch on Tuesday.
Yoichi Masuzoe is set to arrive next week, as China and Japan schedule more visits between officials from both nations, with the aim of improving relations.
Vice-Premier Wang Yang met visiting former Japanese lower house speaker Yohei Kono on Tuesday and called on prominent entrepreneurs in Japan to repair the nations' strained relationship.
Beijing warns Washington to "stay vigilant" about Japan and not to be "permissive or supportive" of Tokyo's provocations.
PM would alter Constitution to 'restore former status' of nation
The Sino-Japanese relationship faces thorny challenges, but Tokyo is not keen on having a serious strategic dialogue with Beijing.
Beijing voiced serious discontent and protested the "unreasonable attitude" of Japan toward President Xi Jinping's Berlin speech about Japan's wartime atrocities, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
High-ranking military officials between Republic of Korea(ROK), Japan and the United States will hold tripartite talks in Washington next month.
South Korea's presidential spokesman said Monday that it has no reason to reject summit talks with Japan if the neighboring country shows sincere attitude toward historical issues.
China's ambassador to Japan has dismissed the possibility of a high-level meeting between the two neighbors due to the current state of ties.