From the time of Deng Xiaoping's remarkably successful visit to Japan in October 1978 until his withdrawal from the political stage in 1992, Japan and China made strides toward reconciliation. Japanese visitors to China expressed remorse for the painful history of Japanese invasion, and the Chinese accepted their apologies. The Japanese government provided more aid to China than any other country. Japanese companies, meanwhile, passed on technology and management know-how, helping the Chinese modernize factories for producing steel, electronics, motorbikes and cars.
Liao Chengzhi, Yoshihiro Inayama and other leaders engaged in high-level discussions. And while relations were not entirely positive, when the Chinese complained of Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone's 1985 visit to Yasukuni Shrine, he announced he would respect his neighbors' objections and not visit again. To promote lasting good relations between Japan and China, Deng encouraged the import of Japanese movies, TV shows, music and novels. At one point, nearly 80% of Japanese polled reported positive feelings toward China.
