Japanese pool players harassed in Shanghai
Staff Reporter 2012-09-14 17:16 (GMT+8)
A Chinese man set his own Japanese-brand car on fire in protest over the nationalization of the disputed islands. (Internet photo)
China and Japan's territorial conflict over the disputed islands in the East China Sea, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, has triggered widespread anti-Japanese sentiment and demonstrations in China. Japanese pool players attending the 2012 Nine-ball China Open in Shanghai have reportedly been involved in scuffles with local people in Shanghai while they were eating, reports our sister newspaper China Times.
The Shanghai Billiards Association confirmed the incident and that an unidentified Japanese player was slightly injured in the fight. The association has advised Japanese players to stay indoors until the conclusion of the tournament. Spectators have reportedly been banned from watching matches in which Japanese players will take part for fear of disruption from the crowd.
Recent anti-Japanese demonstrations include an online photo of a Japanese brand of car set on fire by its Chinese owner to demonstrate his anger against the Japanese government's move this week to nationalize the islands, while six other Japanese nationals were also attacked in Shanghai, which is home to the largest Japanese population in China with 50,000, according to the Japanese consulate-general.
The disputed islands are also claimed by Taiwan, which refers to them as the Diaoyutais.
