Japan's direct investment in China was down by 40 percent in 2014 over the previous year. Sakakibara Sadayuki, chairman of the Japan Business Federation, said Japanese businesses are hesitant about their plans to expand in China due to the political discord.

Now the two countries are seeking to mend their relations.

When Li, Abe and Republic of Korea President Park Geun-hye met in Seoul on Nov 1, the three countries did not make public what the three leaders talked about. The approach is laudable because it kept their differences, whether over historical or territorial issues, away from the spotlight, and helped keep a lid on nationalism.

Plainly, the three countries' leaders cherished the long-awaited opportunity to talk, for the first in three and a half years. And the trilateral summit was a breakthrough given that the historical and territorial sensitivities remain. But one-on-one meetings between them help the leaders know each other better.

Japan's newspaper The Nikkei Keizai Shimbun said some officials of Japan's foreign ministry were amazed by the ROK president's gentleness. Some Japanese scholars' books and articles demonize China and the ROK.

Li and Abe also talked face to face in Seoul, agreeing to work for a stable, healthy and long-term relationship between China and Japan.

Friendship built in people's young age is believed to last long. China and Japan need to create more chances for their young people to visit each other's country. The 100 Chinese students planted trees with their Japanese peers at the foot of Mount Fuji, and during such interaction, they may sow seeds of friendship in their hearts.

The author is China Daily's Tokyo bureau chief.

caihong@chinadaily.com.cn