China's famed face-changing performers may offer guidance to diplomats adjusting to an ever-changing world. This actor demonstrated the ancient art during a Sichuan Opera show. © Reuters

China and Japan inch closer for insurance against Hurricane Trump

Asia's two biggest economies accelerate diplomacy but produce few results

KATSUJI NAKAZAWA, Nikkei senior staff writer

April 18, 2019 15:33 JST

TOKYO -- Winter is over for the Sino-Japanese relationship, as ties warm by the day.

Earlier this week, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi greeted his Japanese counterpart, Taro Kono, in Beijing with a broad smile, something he had not previously flashed to Japanese officials. China had maintained a hard line on Japan since September 2012, when a wave of anti-Japanese demonstrations swept the country.