China has issued a travel warning to its citizens, advising them to avoid visiting Japan in a new escalation of tensions between the two countries. The move comes in response to recent remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan.
In a statement, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the “provocative statements about Taiwan have further damaged the atmosphere of people-to-people exchanges and increased risks to the safety of Chinese citizens in Japan.” The ministry and its diplomatic missions urged Chinese nationals to refrain from traveling to Japan at this time.
This development follows a week-long dispute sparked by Takaichi’s comments in parliament, where she stated that any Chinese attack on Taiwan would be considered “a threat to Japan’s survival,” potentially justifying a military response from Tokyo.
Taiwan remains the most sensitive issue in China’s foreign relations. Beijing views the island as part of its territory and has vowed to reunify it with the mainland, by force if necessary.
In a separate statement, China’s Ministry of Defense warned that Japan would suffer a “crushing defeat” if it intervened militarily in the Taiwan Strait.
The escalation has been accompanied by mutual diplomatic protests. Tokyo summoned the Chinese ambassador to protest remarks made by Chinese Consul in Osaka, Xie Jian, who posted on the platform X that “the neck that meddles in others’ affairs should be cut off,” a post that was later deleted.
In response, Beijing summoned the Japanese ambassador to protest Takaichi’s statements, calling them “a serious political blow to the foundation of bilateral relations.”
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that there was no need to retract Takaichi’s comments, clarifying that they were made in the context of a discussion about “a situation that threatens national survival.”
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara emphasized that “peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are essential to Japan’s security and to international stability.”