Dialogue has been the preferred way out of a diplomatic quandary, but it seems out of reach for Japan and South Korea as both countries resolutely dig in their heels and a feud between them shows no signs of abating.

The media in both countries has expressed alarm and called for calm talks to resolve what Japan's Asahi daily describes as a "traditionally prickly relationship degenerating into its worst and most dangerous state since formal diplomatic ties were established". The Korea Herald, meanwhile, says "chauvinism can only worsen the problem".