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China Tightens Pressure on Japan Over Takaichi’s Taiwan Defense Remark

Beijing pursues a formal retraction with trade curbs following an unsuccessful envoy visit.

Overview

  • China suspended imports of Japanese seafood and paused talks on resuming Japanese beef imports, pairing the moves with travel warnings, cultural cancellations and delayed film releases.
  • Beijing’s foreign ministry repeated that Taiwan is part of China and demanded a withdrawal of the remarks, while Chinese Coast Guard patrols continued near disputed islands.
  • Tokyo dispatched envoy Masaaki Kanai to meet China’s Liu Jinsong, but Beijing’s public messaging, including a widely shared post‑meeting image, signaled no letup in pressure.
  • On Nov. 7, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told the Diet that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could constitute a survival‑threatening situation for Japan, potentially enabling Self‑Defense Force deployment; she has since pledged to avoid explicit hypotheticals without issuing a retraction.
  • Taiwan eased some food import curbs on Japan after a radiation risk review, contrasting with China’s escalating economic measures.