Beijing’s moves have included flying bombers near Japan, detaining businesspeople and restricting the exports of rare earths.

Launched in Seattle in 1943, the U.S. minesweeper Vigilance survived a Japanese submarine and air attack in the United States’ last Pacific war before being transferred to the Philippines in 1967.

For years, the rivalry between China and Japan has been treated as a recurring diplomatic irritant. Historical grievances stemming from Japan’s invasion of China in the early 20th century have always ...