Japan Moves to Ease Diplomatic Row with China over Taiwan Remarks

Japan is working to defuse a fast-escalating dispute with China after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested that a Chinese attack on Taiwan threatening Japan’s survival could prompt a military response.

Tokyo is sending Masaaki Kanai, director general of the Foreign Ministry’s Asia and Oceania bureau, to Beijing this week to meet his Chinese counterpart Liu Jinsong. Japanese media said Kanai will clarify that Takaichi’s comments do not represent a change in Japan’s security policy and will urge Beijing to avoid further damaging ties.

China has warned its citizens against travelling to Japan and strongly protested Takaichi’s remarks, with a senior Chinese diplomat in Osaka posting inflammatory comments online before deleting them. State media in Beijing on Monday accused Takaichi of «deliberate provocation» over Taiwan, which China claims as its own.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, speaking in New Taipei, accused China of mounting a «multifaceted attack» on Japan and urged Beijing to show restraint instead of undermining regional stability.

The tensions come as Chinese coast guard vessels continue to patrol waters near disputed East China Sea islets controlled by Japan but claimed by China. Investors are already bracing for potential economic fallout: tourism- and retail-related shares fell in Tokyo trading on fears Chinese visitor numbers could slump if the row persists.