Anti-Japanese protests have been building throughout the week

The weekend's anti-Japanese demonstrations in China - over Japanese school textbooks allegedly glossing over wartime atrocities - spark heated press comment in both countries.

Participants on Chinese bulletin boards also make their feelings known, with opposition to Japan's bid to join the UN Security Council featuring prominently.

Chinese papers back the protestors. "How can Japan talk about the future when it disregards history?" is the headline in Beijing's Jiefangjun Bao (Liberation Army Daily).

The paper continues: "If Japan wants to become a 'normal country', it must persist with a correct view of history, practically fulfil its pledges to the international community, and cannot allow the right wing to wantonly distort history."

Hong Kong's Ming Pao accuses Japan of having no interest in "winning the trust of neighbouring countries and the people of Asia".

"How can such a country be qualified to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council?" it asks.

Shanghai's Jiefang Ribao (Liberation Daily) also bitterly criticises Tokyo. "Japan always thinks that it only has to cover up the historical truth for it to ascend to the ranks of the political powers with a 'clean face'," it complains.

Bulletin boards

The "Strong Nation Forum" bulletin board on the People's Daily website carries strong comment on the issue.

Kick the ass of whoever says Japan is good People's Daily bulletin board

One post says "we must kill until little Japan will not dare to look the Chinese people in the eyes for 100 years."

Another threatens, "if China demolishes the United States and Japan with nuclear warheads, the world will be peaceful thereafter."

A third is even more blunt: "Kick the ass of whoever says Japan is good."

Criticism and caution

In the press however, there is also concern that the protests might get out of hand.

It is in the interests of neither side to allow the diplomatic fallout to spin out of control South China Morning Post

Hong Kong's South China Morning Post argues that "nothing will be gained" by allowing the demonstrations to continue in a violent manner.

"It is in the interests of neither side to allow the diplomatic fallout to spin out of control. The leadership of both nations must do their utmost to cool tempers among themselves and their people."

Hong Kong's Sing Pao takes the long-term view.

"While China opposes the wrong policies and behaviour of the Japanese government, it should also look at the problem from an international strategic angle, take the entire situation into account, stabilise Sino-Japanese relations, and discuss disputes, but also discuss cooperation."

"Inadequate response"

In Japan, the largest daily Yomiuri Shimbun questions why "any action against Japan should be tolerated" in China.

The paper is critical of the failure of the Chinese authorities to prevent vandalism against the Japanese embassy and Japanese firms.

"Although China cracks down on anything that is inconvenient for the government, it tolerates anti-Japan demonstrations, which it thinks can be exploited to pressure Japan over the territorial dispute, the textbook issue, and other issues."

The Chinese people need to understand that irrational anti-Japan activities will damage the interests of their own country Mainichi Shimbun

Asahi Shimbun, Japan's second-largest daily, is also puzzled by the Chinese government's "inadequate" response to the demonstrations.

The daily speculates China might have feared that controlling outraged demonstrators could have a negative spill-over on the government, as the public has been frustrated over domestic issues such as the widening income gap and political corruption.

Mainichi Shimbun, Japan's third-largest daily, thinks the Chinese protestors stand to lose more than they will gain.

"Although it is true that the Japanese should not forget the historical grounds for the Chinese anti-Japan sentiment, the Chinese people need to understand that irrational anti-Japan activities will damage the interests of their own country."

"Unforgivable"

The Sankei Shimbun daily says the violence against Japanese firms and individuals is "unforgivable".

Japan is not the only one to blame Tokyo Shimbun

If the demonstrations escalate, the paper continues, it will deepen an emotional conflict and damage the interests of the two nations.

Tokyo Shimbun calls on China to prevent any recurrence.

"The most serious problem rests in the attitude of the Chinese government," the daily suggests, adding that "Japan is not the only one to blame."

"Since the two countries are responsible for bilateral problems, the two governments should solve problems through dialogue, placing a strict ban on violence."

BBC Monitoring selects and translates news from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several bureaus abroad.