During a period when diplomacy between Japanese and Chinese lawmakers is dwindling, Tokyo and Beijing marked the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations Thursday.
With tensions rising between the two nations and public sentiment worsening in Japan, lawmakers are increasingly wary of being labeled as "pro-China" politicians.
"Whatever the concerns may be, neighboring countries cannot move house," Liberal Democratic Party former Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai said at a Tokyo event held to mark the milestone anniversary. "We must take a long view and not neglect efforts to cooperate with each other."
