Overview
- China’s UN ambassador Fu Cong sent a letter to the secretary-general warning any Japanese armed intervention over a Taiwan conflict would constitute aggression and vowing self‑defence, with the letter to be circulated as a General Assembly document.
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi declined to withdraw her parliamentary remark linking a Taiwan use of force to a potential “survival‑threatening” situation for Japan, saying policy remains consistent and responses would reflect circumstances.
- The United States publicly reaffirmed its commitment to Japan’s defense and opposed unilateral changes to the status quo, as Ambassador George Glass criticized Beijing’s steps as economic coercion and Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott reiterated alliance assurances.
- Beijing expanded pressure with a travel advisory for Japan, reimposed suspensions on seafood import approvals, halted approvals for new Japanese films, saw concerts canceled, patrolled near the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands, announced Yellow Sea live‑fire drills, and prompted the shelving of the China–Japan–South Korea culture ministers’ meeting.
- Tokyo protested uncoordinated press arrangements after viral footage from a senior‑officials’ meeting and Japanese officials flagged risks of further economic coercion, including potential rare‑earth export curbs or the lapse of a short‑term visa waiver.