Why do the Chinese and Japanese hate eachother so much?

Question

I know Japan committed atrocities against China during ww2, but is there more to it?

Answer 1

There is more to it, but I imagine that it is mostly tied with the things some Japanese did during the wars. If you haven't already, you might want to read "Rape of Nanking."

While this isn't absolutely true, I would say that the general chinese dislike for Japan as a nation stems from the actions of the Japanese during the wars (not just WWII, but the others), and the Japanese state's general unwillingness to acknowledge it or apologize for it. I'm not taking any sides on whether they should or not, just expressing my opinion on the thoughts of some Chinese people. This would normally be bad enough, but it is exacerbated by the fact that the Chinese psyche (if such a thing exists) has kind of been suffering from a "short-man's complex," China used to be great, then was totally cut down and shamed, and so now they are on this trip to show everyone that they are powerful, the best, etc. So when Japan refuses to acknowledge wrongs (perceived or otherwise) done, some of the Chinese feel that it is not only wrong but also causes them to lose face, that Japan is acting as if China is not important enough to give an apology to. Because of this, China has a thinly veiled anti-Japan bias in its culture and foreign policy.

Japanese dislike for China (not the Chinese), probably largely stems from more modern actions on the part of China (likely motivated by the above) to rattle Japan's cage and usurp it as the stable strong economy of East Asia. Besides the straight economic and political friction of becoming a rising regional power, China makes it a point to be very critical and contrary of Japan whenever possible.

I know that this doesn't effect every single person of Japanese and Chinese ethnicity, and that generally, in a very general way, Chinese people have issues with Japanese people more than Japanese people have issues with Chinese people (interesting you didn't ask about Koreans and Japanese), and the rest is Nation vs. Nation, and that it is a fallacy to assign emotions to a government or state. But those are just my thoughts.

Answer 2

I think it comes down to the same reason why ANY one group of people 'hates' another group for no obvious reason to an outsider. They've most likely been poking each other in the eye with a sharp, pointy stick for centuries now.

~Morg~
Disclaimer: I know not all Japanese and Chinese hate each other. I have friends in both groups and they get along just fine.

Answer 3

Look into the origins of WWII and you'll find that Japanese were just as imperialistic as Europeans, toward their neighbors.

Answer 4

Countries which are in close proximity compete for resources - we always hate our neighbours they are our natural enemies.

Answer 5

they're upset because japan copied their writing. also, japan is claiming chinese food is actually japanese food.

Answer 6

its history

Answer 7

they keep fighting over who makes better rice