In the last few years, China has significantly adjusted its strategy toward neighboring countries and greatly improved relations with most of them. But until very recently, Japan was the only holdout in Beijing’s otherwise successful “peripheral diplomacy.” The political ties between the two nations were almost frozen during Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro’s tenure. The relationship, however, has experienced a dramatic turn in the last six months. With Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s short but highly successful visit to Japan, China’s “new diplomacy” finally reached Tokyo.