Anti-Japan protests continue over island dispute

Anti-Japanese demonstrations intensified on Saturday and Sunday, with violence and property destruction reported in several Chinese cities, according to The New York Times. The protests, ignited by a dispute over several islands in the East China Sea, took place in over 50 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. In some instances, protesters targeted Japanese manufacturers. A Toyota (TM.NYSE, 7203.TYO) dealer was looted and a Panasonic (PC.NYSE, 6752.TYO) factory was set alight in Qingdao, according to social media sources.  People’s Daily, the mouthpiece of the Chinese government, said the motivations of the protestors were understandable. “No one would fail to understand the compatriots’ hatred and fights when the country is provoked; because a people that has no guts and courage is doomed to be bullied, and a country that always hides low and bides its time will always come under attack.” Some Chinese media publications supported peaceful protests. The islands are known as Senkaku in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese.