Japan Issues Safety Warning to Its Citizens in China Amid Escalating Tensions
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The diplomatic crisis began when Takaichi told Japanese lawmakers this month that a Chinese attack on Taiwan that was seen as a “survival-threatening situation” to Japan would trigger a military response.
Senior officials from the two countries met in Beijing on Tuesday to try and ease the growing tensions, with China’s foreign ministry saying it used the meeting to call for Takaichi to retract her remarks.
Taiwan Dispute
Beijing claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, and has not ruled out using force to take control of the island. Taiwan’s government firmly rejects Beijing’s claims, with polls showing a clear majority of the island’s people favoring the status quo.Japan’s embassy in Beijing reminded its citizens on Monday to respect local customs and to take care in their interactions with Chinese people.
It urged citizens not to travel alone, to pay attention to their surroundings when outside, and advised extra caution when accompanying children.
“If you see a person or group that looks even slightly suspicious, do not approach them and leave the area immediately,” the embassy said in its notice.
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Economic Shocks
As the crisis grew, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) advised Chinese citizens not to travel to Japan, which could prove costly to the Japanese economy.The Chinese make up close to a quarter of all tourists to Japan, recent figures show—with tourism-related stocks in Japan plunging following the advice from Beijing.
More than 10 Chinese airlines, including Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines, are offering refunds on Japan-bound routes until Dec. 31, while Sichuan Airlines has canceled plans for a Chengdu-Sapporo route until at least March, according to Chinese state media.
Film distributors have suspended screening at least two Japanese films in China, according to state broadcaster CCTV on Monday. This included the manga adaptation “Cells at Work!”
As well as tourism, Japan relies heavily on China to supply critical minerals used in items from electronics to cars.
In response to a question about China urging its citizens not to travel to its neighbor, Japan’s economic security minister, Kimi Onoda, said at a press conference on Tuesday, “We need to recognize that it’s dangerous to be economically dependent on somewhere that poses such risks.”
Representatives of Japan’s three business federations met Takaichi on Monday to urge dialogue to resolve the diplomatic tension.
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Dispute Over Islands
China and Japan have their own territorial dispute, with a group of East China Sea islands controlled by Japan but claimed by China. These islands are known as Senkaku in Tokyo and the Diaoyu in Beijing.Chinese coast guard ships sailed through waters around these islands on Sunday, with Japan’s coast guard saying it drove the Chinese ships away.
Taiwan is located just 68 miles from Japanese territory, with the surrounding water offering a vital sea route for Tokyo’s trade.
Japan also hosts the largest contingent of United States military personnel overseas.
“In case anyone was in doubt, the United States is fully committed to the defense of Japan, which includes the Senkaku Islands, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, George Glass, said on X. ”And formations of Chinese coast guard ships won’t change that.”
In response, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a press conference on Tuesday that Glass’s remarks were a “political show with ulterior motives.”
China said its prime minister, Li Qiang, has no plans to meet Takaichi at this week’s G20 summit in South Africa.
Kihara said nothing has been finalized about two-way meetings during the summit, but Japan remains open to “various dialogues” with China.
