Japan has urged China to take “appropriate measures” following a warning from Beijing discouraging Chinese citizens from visiting Japan, Kyodo News reported on Saturday. The diplomatic tension comes amid a growing dispute over Taiwan.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated that Japan had “conveyed the message to China and strongly asked it to take appropriate actions.” He did not elaborate on the specific measures Japan expects from Beijing. Kihara emphasized the importance of maintaining communication despite differing views between the two countries.
The warning from China followed comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who suggested that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could be considered a “survival-threatening situation,” potentially triggering a military response from Tokyo.
Taiwan, a democratically governed island, is claimed by China, which has not ruled out the use of force to assert control. Japanese leaders have traditionally maintained “strategic ambiguity” on Taiwan, aligning with policies favored by the United States, Japan’s main security ally.
In response to rising tensions, three Chinese airlines announced that tickets to Japan could be refunded or changed for free, according to state media China News Service. Meanwhile, the China Maritime Safety Administration announced live-fire exercises in parts of the central Yellow Sea from Monday through Tuesday, prohibiting entry to the area, as reported by CCTV.
Taiwan’s Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo criticized China’s actions, calling them “politically motivated, multifaceted threats against Japan” that pose a serious danger to security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The situation underscores the fragile balance in East Asia, where diplomatic and military tensions between China, Japan, and Taiwan remain high. Analysts warn that miscommunication or escalation could have serious implications for regional security, trade, and international relations.
Japan continues to monitor developments closely while urging China to exercise restraint and maintain dialogue to avoid further escalation.
