Overview
- Japan’s defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited Yonaguni and said deployment of a medium‑range surface‑to‑air missile unit is moving forward to lower the risk of an attack on Japan.
- China’s foreign ministry denounced the move as a deliberate effort to stoke regional tension, demanded withdrawal of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks, and urged Tokyo to “show sincerity” for dialogue.
- At the G20, Takaichi and Chinese Premier Li Qiang did not meet, as Tokyo maintained its position that the comments align with existing policy and said channels for dialogue remain open.
- Beijing escalated diplomatic pressure with a UN letter warning that any Japanese military role in a Taiwan crisis would be aggression, and Wang Yi said Japan had crossed a “red line.”
- Economic and cultural fallout widened with a renewed seafood import ban and travel warnings, Hong Kong questioning exchanges with Japan, and Taiwan asserting Japan’s right to bolster defenses near its shores.