China, Japan Take New Jabs at Each Other

China, Japan Take New Jabs at Each Other A rift between China and Japan showed no signs of easing, as Chinese customs appeared to be targeting some goods bound for Japan with meticulous inspections and as Tokyo also kept up the heat on Beijing.

Rancor has continued between the two Asian powers even though Japanese prosecutors on Friday decided to release the captain of a fishing vessel, whose detention after a collision with Japanese coast guard boats three weeks ago enraged the Chinese government.

As the captain, Zhan Qixiong, received a celebratory welcome in southern China over the weekend, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan rejected Beijing's request to apologize for his detention. On Monday, Tokyo said it would ask Beijing to pay an unspecified sum in restitution for alleged damage to its patrol boats that it says were rammed by Mr. Zhan. "The ball is in China's court," said Yoshito Sengoku, Japan's chief government spokesman, told a news conference.

Later, Japanese officials said China's envoy to Tokyo was summoned by the Foreign Ministry to discuss other wrinkles in the relationship. Adding to however tensions were reports of fresh movements by Chinese vessels in the disputed waters.