These days, no longer are the two nations just seeking to improve relations based on the old rubric of 'friendship' alone. Intricate calculations of permanent national interests, particularly in energy and trade requirements, figure more prominently than before in the equation. They have agreed to pursue a 'mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests'. For Japan, this approach was a necessary adjustment to deal with a China that is rising fast, economically and militarily. For China, it was a practical solution to its need to dampen persistent anti-Japanese sentiment at home while ensuring that its relations with an important neighbour will continue to facilitate, not hinder, its growth. The exchange of visits by military vessels and personnel has also leavened ties by minimising mutual suspicions.

But any Japanese leader will have to contend with domestic public opinion, which is still far from enthusiastic about China. A survey by the largest-circulating Yomiuri Shimbun two weeks before Mr Fukuda's visit found that 31 per cent of Japanese felt ties with China were good, versus 37 per cent who did not think so. Influenced perhaps by problems over China-produced food and other products of late, three-quarters of the Japanese felt China was not trustworthy.

So long as Mr Fukuda is in charge, ties are unlikely to lurch from crisis to crisis, as they did during Mr Junichiro Koizumi's tenure. But considering Mr Fukuda's declining popularity and the likelihood of a stalemate in domestic politics, there is no guarantee that Japan will not see a change of administration in the near future. Experts, however, think there is no need for pessimism even if Mr Fukuda goes, as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party has no wish to see a setback in ties. While those party hotheads whose anti-China rhetoric had regularly upset Beijing in the past are still around, they appear to have been marginalised for now and are unlikely to do much harm.