ANTI-JAPANESE PROTESTS IN CHINA:

Sarah,

As a result of a territorial dispute between China and Japan over some uninhabited islands, Anti-Japanese protests are raging throughout China.  The LA Times described some ways in which the Chinese are protesting:

1.  Commentators are urging a boycott on all Japanese goods.

2.  One man drove his Honda Civic back to the dealership and set it on fire.  Other Japanese cars have been smashed throughout China.

3.  Tour groups are cancelling visits to Japan.

4.  A couple cancelled a wedding photo shoot because the cameras to be used were Japanese.

5. Citizens are downloading Japanese porn illegally to deprive Japanese porn studios of money.

6. A famous Chinese actress canceled an appearance at the Tokyo premiere of Resident Evil to show support for her country.

(click this article for a better description of the dispute)

Source: LA Times, “Isle Dispute Fuels Offbeat Protests by Chinese”, 9/14/12

UPDATES IN THE CHINA-JAPAN CONTROVERSY:

Sarah,

Last week I gave some background on a dispute dispute between China and Japan over a chain of uninhabited islands.

Here are the latest developments:

1. Last week, the Japanese government bought the islands from the Japanese family that supposedly owned them for $26 million.  The deal was spearheaded by Tokyo’s Governor, a strident nationalist.

2.  Today, China announced that it is sending paramilitary ships to the island for “surveillance”.  China also announced that it has plans for safeguarding the islands and that it considers the sale of the islands to the Japanese government illegal and invalid. (because China owns the islands)