China has warned its citizens against travelling to Japan and summoned the Japanese ambassador in Beijing after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made remarks suggesting Japan could deploy its self-defence forces if China were to attack Taiwan.
The tensions erupted after Takaichi, speaking in parliament last Friday, said that military action involving Taiwan could qualify as a “survival-threatening situation” under Japan’s 2015 security laws — a classification that permits Japan to use its self-defence forces if an attack on an ally poses an existential threat to Japan. Beijing condemned the remarks as “egregious.”
The row escalated further when Xue Jian, China’s consul general in Osaka, reshared a news article on social media and added a comment interpreted by some as a threat to behead Takaichi. Tokyo called the comment “highly inappropriate” and lodged a protest, while Beijing issued its own complaint over Takaichi’s remarks. Xue’s post has since been removed.
Takaichi has refused to retract her comments, saying they align with Japan’s long-standing position, though she acknowledged she would choose her words more carefully. Beijing responded by warning Japan to “stop playing with fire” and said any interference in Taiwan would constitute an “act of aggression.” China’s vice foreign minister Sun Weidong summoned the Japanese ambassador, calling Takaichi’s remarks “extremely wrong and dangerous” and demanding they be withdrawn.
Japan reiterated that its stance on Taiwan has not changed and that it seeks a peaceful resolution through dialogue. Tokyo also urged China to act appropriately over Xue’s threatening comment.
Adding to the diplomatic friction, China’s embassy in Tokyo on Friday warned Chinese nationals to avoid visiting Japan, citing what it called Japan’s “provocative remarks” over Taiwan.
The confrontation reflects centuries-old tensions between the two nations, tied to Japan’s wartime actions in China and unresolved historical grievances. Takaichi, a protégé of former prime minister Shinzo Abe, is known for her hawkish stance on China, close ties with the US and support for Taiwan.
China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to assert control, is especially sensitive to any foreign statements regarding the island. Earlier this month, Beijing criticised Takaichi for meeting a senior Taiwanese official at the Apec summit.
Her latest comments break from Japan’s usual practice of avoiding explicit references to military support for Taiwan. Traditionally, both Japan and the US have followed a policy of “strategic ambiguity,” refusing to clarify how they would respond to a Chinese invasion. When Japanese officials have previously hinted at defending Taiwan — as in 2021 when then deputy prime minister Taro Aso made similar remarks — Beijing reacted sharply.
China’s foreign ministry again accused Japan of interfering in its internal affairs, urging Tokyo to respect the one-China principle. “Taiwan is China’s Taiwan,” spokesperson Lin Jian said, warning that China would not tolerate any foreign involvement.
