Aggravating the two sets of territorial disputes is rising nationalism in all three countries, though the recent flare-ups had different triggers.
On August 15, a boat carrying Hong Kong political activists circumvented Japanese coast guard vessels. Seven people landed on the main Diaoyu island, waving both Chinese and Taiwanese flags. Taiwan, formally known as the Republic of China, also claims the islands.
The activists, evidently wanting to spur Beijing and Taipei into more aggressive action to assert territorial claims, refused to leave the island. The Japanese coast guard detained them, triggering a diplomatic protest by China.
The highly publicized detention and subsequent deportation stirred emotions in China. Despite China's policy of avoiding confrontations with Japan, by August 19 anti-Japan protests were held in cities across China, Beijing is not averse to showing Japan how much pressure it's under.
While activists on the ground spurred the dispute with China, albeit with tacit support, South Korea's was a top-down exercise, with President Lee Myung-bak's decision to visit the Dokdo islands on August 10 - a first for a Korean leader. Lee's term ends in February, and his successor will be chosen in December elections.
Five days later, Seoul marked Liberation Day, which coincides with Japan's surrender in the Second World War.
In his Liberation Day speech, Lee demanded that Japan take "responsible measures" for having made sex slaves of Korean women during the war to serve its soldiers. The previous day, he called on Emperor Akihito to apologize to the victims of Japanese colonialism before visiting Korea. Japanese officials report the emperor had not indicated an intention to visit South Korea.
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda then wrote a letter to Lee protesting the island visit to Takeshima and asking the Korean leader to apologize for demanding an apology from the emperor. In what may well be an unprecedented move, underlining the emotions and political posturing of these disputes, the South Korean government refused to accept Noda's letter, announcing that it would be returned. When a Korean diplomat arrived to return the letter, the Japanese foreign ministry refused to admit him. The letter was eventually returned by registered mail.
Japan's relationships with its neighbors have an ongoing theme: Despite many official government apologies for past behavior, politicians whose actions raise questions as to whether Japan is actually contrite continue to emerge.
On the anniversary of the Japanese surrender, August 15, two members of Noda's cabinet visited the Yasukuni Shrine, where 2.5 million of Japan's war dead, including Class A war criminals, are enshrined - despite a pledge by Noda that no member of his cabinet would visit the site. The Noda administration labeled them as "private visits."
On the issue of wartime sex slaves, Japan acknowledged responsibility and apologized in 1993. Still, some politicians continue to question whether the events occurred. Toru Hashimoto, mayor of Osaka, a strong contender to be the next prime minister, has asked Korea for proof.
Earlier this month, Noda agreed to dissolve the lower house and hold an election "before long" in return for support for a tax measure. Japan could have another prime minister in a few months.
In the meantime, the government is trying to organize and improve relations with neighbors. Japan has announced that it will replace its ambassadors to China, South Korea and the United States in an attempt to have firmer control over its foreign policy.
A coherent, longer-lasting government for Japan is essential for settlement of the scramble for natural resources and rising nationalism in China and South Korea. Attempts to use these territorial disputes for political ends do not bode well for regional peace and stability.
