The Japanese Embassy in China on Nov 17 reminded Japanese citizens in China to respect local customs and be careful in their interactions with Chinese people.
- Japan warns its citizens in China to heighten security due to rising tensions over Taiwan and negative sentiment in Chinese media.
- Film distributors in China have suspended screening Japanese films, calling it a “prudent decision” given the deteriorating relations.
- Despite escalating tensions and Chinese retaliation, Japan seeks dialogue, but refuses to retract statements, leaving relations strained.
TOKYO – Japan has warned its citizens in China to step up safety precautions and avoid crowded places amid a deepening dispute between Asia’s two largest economies over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan.
Ms Takaichi sparked the most serious diplomatic clash in years when she told Japanese lawmakers in October that a Chinese attack on Taiwan threatening Japan’s survival could trigger a military response.
The Nov 18 advisory came as a senior Japanese envoy arrived in Beijing for a meeting to try and tamp down the tension, although no breakthrough appeared imminent.
China’s Foreign Ministry said it had pressed at the meeting for Ms Takaichi to retract her remarks, but Japan’s top government spokesperson suggested Tokyo was in no mood to do so, as they were in line with its longstanding view.
“Regarding Prime Minister Takaichi’s response… It does not alter the government’s existing position,” Mr Minoru Kihara told a press conference, when asked if Japan planned to retract the comments.
The government hoped that issues concerning Taiwan would be resolved peacefully through dialogue, he added.
Beijing claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own and has not ruled out using force to take control of the island. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s claims and says only its people can decide the island’s future.
