China cleans up after angry anti-Japan protests, though underlying tension remains

China is returning to normalcy after angry protests over Japan’s wartime occupation and Tokyo’s recent purchase of islands also claimed by Beijing.

Beijing sanitation workers were using high-pressure hoses Wednesday to erase the stains of paint bombs hurled at the Japanese Embassy the day before. Road blocks were removed, allowing for normal traffic around the embassy and police shooed pedestrians away.

Japanese shops, restaurants and factories in China that closed to avoid being targeted by protesters were open again.

Large and sometimes violent anti-Japan protests roiled many Chinese cities over the weekend, triggered by the Japanese government’s purchase last week of the disputed East China Sea islands.

More demonstrations followed Tuesday on the anniversary of Japan’s invasion of China, an emotional remembrance that further stoked the outrage.