In an ongoing dispute over Taiwan, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi advised parliament on November 7, 2025, that use of power in opposition to the self-ruled island claimed by China may warrant a navy response from Tokyo.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara mentioned Japan had “conveyed the message to China and strongly requested it to take acceptable actions,” the report mentioned. It didn’t quote him as elaborating on the measures. Kihara mentioned Japan and China differ on the problem and it was very important to keep up communication, Kyodo reported.
On Friday (November 14), Beijing mentioned that it had summoned Japan’s ambassador, whereas Tokyo mentioned it had summoned China’s ambassador after an “inappropriate” and now-removed on-line submit.
Tokyo has since mentioned its place on Taiwan — simply 100 kilometres (62 miles) from the closest Japanese island — is unchanged.
In an internet submit late Friday (November 14), China’s embassy in Japan warned its residents in opposition to travelling to the nation.
“Recently, Japanese leaders have made blatantly provocative remarks regarding Taiwan, severely damaging the atmosphere for people-to-people exchanges,” the WeChat submit mentioned.
The state of affairs presents “significant risks to the personal safety and lives of Chinese citizens in Japan”, it added.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese embassy and consulates in Japan solemnly remind Chinese citizens to avoid travelling to Japan in the near future.”
Beijing insists Taiwan — which Japan occupied for many years till 1945 — is a part of its territory and has not dominated out using power to grab management.
China and Japan are key buying and selling companions, however historic distrust and friction over territorial rivalries and navy spending usually take a look at these ties.
Ms. Takaichi, a conservative and China hawk, has toned down her rhetoric since assuming workplace final month. But simply weeks into her administration, the neighbours are at odds.
Addressing parliament on November 7, Ms. Takaichi mentioned that an armed assault on Taiwan may warrant sending troops to the island below “collective self-defence”.
If an emergency in Taiwan entails “battleships and the use of force, then that could constitute a situation threatening the survival (of Japan), any way you slice it”, she mentioned.
Security laws handed in 2015 permits Japan to train the proper to “collective self-defence” below sure circumstances together with if there was a transparent hazard to the nation’s survival.
Strategic ambiguity
Despite the escalating diplomatic spat, PM Takaichi has since indicated she has no intention of retracting her assertion and insisted it was according to Tokyo’s long-standing coverage.
But she mentioned she would chorus from referring to particular situations sooner or later.
Previous sitting Japanese prime ministers have prevented commenting straight on Taiwan’s defence, selecting as a substitute to keep up so-called strategic ambiguity.
The United States has lengthy been equally intentionally ambiguous on whether or not it will deploy its navy to defend Taiwan.
In response to Takaichi’s feedback, the Chinese consul normal in Osaka Xue Jian posted about “(cutting) off that dirty neck”, apparently referring to PM Takaichi.
Japan lodged a protest over the since-removed social media submit, and Takaichi’s ruling celebration handed a decision calling for the envoy to be declared persona non grata.
Before taking energy, Takaichi, an acolyte of ex-premier Shinzo Abe, was a vocal critic of China and its navy build-up within the Asia-Pacific.
Ms. Takaichi has visited Taiwan up to now and met Taipei’s consultant at a current APEC summit, the place she additionally held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
With inputs from AFP, Reuters
