China Issues Travel Warning for Citizens Visiting Japan Amid Rising Tensions Over Taiwan

China has issued a warning to its citizens to refrain from traveling to Japan as diplomatic tensions escalate following comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan.

Takaichi, who became Japan's first female prime minister last month, stated in parliament on November 7 that Tokyo might respond militarily to any use of force against Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its territory.

Following these remarks, China and Japan exchanged criticisms. On Friday, China summoned the Japanese ambassador to express its discontent, while Japan called in the Chinese ambassador after a controversial online post by the Chinese consul general in Osaka was deemed "inappropriate" and subsequently removed.

While Takaichi's statements were interpreted as a potential signal of Japanese military intervention should Taiwan be attacked, the Japanese government clarified that its stance on Taiwan remains unchanged, reaffirming its commitment to the 1972 joint declaration that established bilateral relations and acknowledged the "One China" policy.

Later on Friday, the Chinese embassy in Tokyo issued a warning via the WeChat app, stating: "Recent provocative remarks by Japanese leaders regarding Taiwan have severely damaged the atmosphere of exchange between our two peoples."

The statement emphasized that the current situation poses "serious risks to the personal safety and lives of Chinese citizens in Japan," urging: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese embassy and consulates in Japan officially remind Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan in the near future."

Beijing maintains that Taiwan, which was under Japanese occupation until 1945, is part of its territory and does not rule out the use of force to assert control. Despite being significant trade partners, historical distrust, regional competition, and military spending continue to hinder the stability of their relations.

Last week, Takaichi clarified that any armed attack on Taiwan could justify the deployment of Japanese forces to support the island under the framework of "collective defense" as stipulated in a law passed in 2015. She stated in parliament: "That could constitute a situation threatening Japan's survival, regardless of how one views it."

Despite the controversy surrounding her statements, the Prime Minister affirmed her intention to stand by her position, noting that it aligns with Tokyo's traditional policy, although she indicated she would avoid referencing specific scenarios in the future.

Unlike her predecessors, who adopted a stance of "strategic ambiguity" regarding Taiwan, Takaichi is known for her firm positions towards Beijing and her calls to enhance Japan's military capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region. She had previously visited Taiwan and met with its representatives at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea two weeks ago, where she also met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the summit.