What is the historical rivalry between China and Japan in table tennis?

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China and Japan's Enduring Table Tennis Rivalry

China secured their 20th World Championship title by defeating Japan 3-0 in the 2016 World Team Table Tennis Championship final. This victory extended China's dominant streak against Japan in championship finals, a pattern that has persisted since Japan's triumph over China in the 1971 Nagoya edition. This marked Japan's last victory against China in a World Team Table Tennis Championship final.
China's Dominance in Finals

Since the 1971 Nagoya championship, China has consistently outperformed Japan in World Team Table Tennis Championship finals, including notable victories in Tokyo in 1983 and 2014. China has reached the final 25 times in total, securing the championship on 20 occasions. The 2016 final saw world number one Liu Shiwen defeat world number four Ai Fukuhara 3-0, followed by Li Xiaoxia's comeback victory against Kasumi Ishikawa and Ding Ning's win over 15-year-old Mima Ito.
Japan's Determination to Rebound

Despite their consistent presence in the finals, with 2016 marking their 13th appearance, Japan has not secured a championship title against China since 1971. Following the 2016 defeat, Japanese coach Yasukasu Murakami expressed the team's commitment to improving tactics and strategies to challenge China in future competitions, including the upcoming Rio de Janeiro Olympics and the 2018 World Championship.
Broader Context of the Sport

The World Team Table Tennis Championship involves a wide array of international participation, with 81 women's teams and 91 men's teams from 99 countries competing across various divisions. While the focus is often on the top-tier rivalry, the championship structure allows for competition across different levels, reflecting the global reach and development of table tennis. The event in Shah Alam, Malaysia, saw Chinese Taipei and North Korea earn bronze medals after losing in the semifinals.

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What is the historical rivalry between China and Japan in table tennis?

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