Japan-China row over Taiwan highlights fragile ties

A diplomatic feud with China sparked by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments about Taiwan has underscored the fragility of ties between the key trading partners.

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Historical grievances and territorial disputes have added to the strain.

AFP examines the issues at the heart of their complicated relationship.

HISTORICAL MISTRUST

Japanese troops carried out mass murder, rape and looting in Nanjing for about six weeks from the end of 1937, a period of brutal Japanese occupation in the Second Sino-Japanese war that was part of World War II.

Tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people were killed in the massacre.

Tokyo normalized diplomatic ties with Beijing in 1972 but relations are still dogged by historical issues.