"A hard fact proves that Japan is a monster, a devil. We must eliminate the beast in order to protect the Chinese nation."

Anger, discontent after Japan detains five members of an activist group from China, Hong Kong and Macau, sailing from Hong Kong harbor, tracking their movements on Facebook. They land on the island chain claimed by both China and Japan. The island sits in the sensitive spot lodged in between Japan, China and Taiwan.

"From the Beijing's perspective, I think there would be a major change of leadership coming up at the 18th Party Congress, so at this stage the government also doesn't want to appear as weak, particularly given the rise of Chinese nationalism."

Control over Asian sea ways has become one of the most contentious deal political issues this year. As China's economy raises, so too does its political voice. The world's No.2 economy claims sovereignty over virtually the entire South China Sea, neighbor both patrolling the region. These South Korean athletes swim to an island at the center of a territorial dispute between Seoul and Tokyo. 

Further south, the Philippines stands behind its own sovereignty claims. Diplomatic spats like these could jeopardize a huge Asia trade flow. China is the largest trading partner of both Japan and Korea. Japan had invested about 80 billion dollars in China up to the end of last year. South Korea, 50 billion dollars. 

"Already in China, there are very emotional netizens calling for boycott of the Japanese products. I think both governments, at this stage, are very anxious to prevent the trade war. I think they realize very well that trade is perhaps the only positive factor in the bilateral relations."

And across the region, old grudges linger. Japanese ministers commemorate 67 years since the end of the World War II. Koreans demand an apology for women forced into sexual slavery by Japan during that conflict. More signs, the forces of history still exert a powerful pole in the new epicenter of the global economic growth.

Tara Joseph reporting for Reuters.