Japanese businesses close in China in face of protests

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2012/09/japanese-business-close-in-china-in-face-of-protests.html

Japanese factories, restaurants, mini-marts and clothing retailers across China closed en masse Tuesday as protests continued in nearly 100 cities over a territorial fight between the two nations centered on some uninhabited islands near Taiwan.

Nissan, Honda, Toyota and Mazda suspended operations at some plants, as did Sony. Hundreds of 7-Eleven shops run by a Japanese company were shuttered, as were dozens of outlets of the popular Gap-like Japanese clothing chain Uniqlo. Eateries serving Japanese food -- even those with Chinese owners and staff -- closed as well, shaken by weekend demonstrations that saw protesters overturning Japanese cars, looting businesses and setting factories on fire.

Anti-Japan protests, stoked by animus dating back more than a century and often sanctioned by the Chinese authorities, arise periodically in China. But this week’s gatherings have been the largest and most violent since at least 2005.