Wen makes landmark visit to Japan

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited Japan from April 11 to 13 marking the first visit by a Chinese premier since Zhu Rongji visited six years ago. Wen met with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, paid a visit to Emperor Akihito and spoke to the Diet.
Relations between the two Asian powers have left much to be desired after Abe's predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi, stirred up political controversy with his many visits to Yasukuni Shrine. Yasukuni enshrines Japan's war dead and a number of executed Class-A war criminals. China has been emphatic in its view that visits of this kind indicate that Japan takes no remorse for its wartime aggression.
The last few years have seen other issues strain the relationship including heated debate over energy issues and East China Sea economic exclusion zones. Abe, however, visited China soon after taking office and has shown no indication of planning to visit Yasukuni; two things that have gone a long way toward improving mutual ties.
Wen, who himself described his visit as "a trip to melt the ice", ratified a joint bilateral co-operation statement with Abe which focuses on employing Japanese technology in China. Wen also surprised many by recognising Japan's apologies for its wartime activities in Asia and urged reconciliation and co-operation.