Overview
- China’s Foreign Ministry called on citizens to refrain from visiting Japan after criticizing Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent Diet remarks.
- Beijing summoned Japan’s ambassador, Kanesugi, to lodge a formal protest and labeled Takaichi’s comments as extremely malicious.
- Retailers and tourism operators in Kyushu, including a Fukuoka department store, report anxiety over projected sales declines following the travel call.
- Regional outlets warn of potential tourism impacts in Hokkaido as Chinese visitors reconsider trips.
- The U.S. approved a $330 million (about ¥51 billion) equipment sale to Taiwan, which Reuters reports includes fighter aircraft parts and marks the first such approval of the current administration.