What explains the ebb and flow of the Sino-Japanese rivalry? Why do the two states sometimes choose to escalate or de-escalate the rivalry? Does domestic politics play a role? Examining the historic and contemporary relationship between China and Japan through the lens of the interstate rivalry literature, Streich analyzes two periods of Sino-Japanese rivalry and the reasons for their ever-changing nature. He looks both at how rivalry theory can help us to understand the relationship between the two countries and how this relationship can in turn inform rivalry theory. His results find that domestic politics and expected costs play a large role in determining when each state decides when to escalate, de-escalate, or maintain the status quo. This book is an essential guide to understanding the historical development and contemporary status of the Sino-Japanese rivalry.