Jin Canrong, deputy dean at the School of International Studies at Renmin University of China, said Burns and Russel are in the region to "quench the fire" among the Asian neighbors, but strategic confrontation between China and Japan has gone so deep it cannot be simply resolved by diplomatic visits.

"The US will not pick sides in terms of these disputes and therefore the effects of the mission's peacemaking efforts will be limited," Jin said.

Relations between Tokyo and its neighbors have worsened in recent months following the country's policies regarding territorial disputes and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which honors 14 Class-A war criminals from World War II.

Li said Beijing's unprecedented anger over Abe's shrine visit, seen in harsh criticism from more than 40 ambassadors, has made Washington reflect on its Japan policy.

"In the past, the US relied on Japan to be a pillar of its rebalancing strategy in the Asia-Pacific without giving enough attention to the country's waking militarism and stubbornness on issues of history," Li said. "Washington had become Tokyo's tool to help meet its own agenda."

Jin said Washington is highly concerned about the development of the China-Japan animosity.

"Opinions about Japan's role in the Asia-Pacific are split in the US," he said. "The military encourages an assertive Japan, but some legislators are skeptical about it."

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