Fears for world trade as Japanese firms
closed down by angry Chinese protests

At stake are billions of dollars in investments and far more in sales and trade between Japan and China, the world’s third and second-largest economies.

The two are so closely entwined, though, that both would suffer from any long-term disruptions.

The Japanese government has been urging Beijing to do more to protect Japanese businesses from trespassing, looting and other damage, chief cabinet secretary Osamu Fujimura told reporters.

“Japanese companies play an important role in the Chinese economy and employment. We believe we should be calm and make rational judgments from a broad perspective,” Mr Fujimura said.

Some private and government-level meetings and events have been postponed or cancelled, he added.

Big-name brands and retailers appeared to be suffering the brunt of the latest mass outburst of anti-Japanese sentiment.

Many companies had to close as the 81st anniversary of a Japanese invasion brought a fresh wave of protests venting anger over the colonial past and a current dispute involving contested islands in the East China Sea.

In Shanghai, many of the Japanese-owned shops and restaurants in the western part of the city where the Japanese consulate is located had either closed or covered any Japan-brand signs.

Uniqlo, Asia’s biggest clothing retailer, had closed some of its outlets but opened its huge flagship store on Shanghai’s main Nanjing Road shopping street. Amid calls for a boycott, the popular store was busy with shoppers.

Still, many employees of Japanese retailers, car-makers and other companies were staying home as thousands of anti-Japanese protesters marched in Beijing.

The Japanese school in Beijing was closed on Monday, a Japanese public holiday, and yesterday. Staff said they were uncertain what would happen on today.