Anti-Japanese Nationalism and Economic Growth in the Context of the Diaoyu/ Senkaku Island Dispute

Mutually Opposing Pillars of Legitimization

Abstract

In September 2012, massive and violent anti-Japanese protests broke out in more than 100 cities throughout China. Japanese businesses, restaurants and multinational corporations were targeted and Japanese people were attacked on the streets. The protests were a result of the Japanese Government’s decision to purchase and nationalize three islands in the East China Sea located in the island grouping known as Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan over which both countries have competing sovereignty claims. The purchase occurred only months after nationalist demonstrators from both Hong Kong and Japan independently planted their respective flags on the islands and only a week before the 81st anniversary of the Mukden incident.