Overview
- Beijing summoned Japan’s ambassador, Kenji Kanasugi, to protest Takaichi’s comments that a Taiwan conflict could meet Japan’s constitutional ‘survival threat’ threshold and justify collective self‑defense.
- China’s embassy urged citizens to avoid trips to Japan, citing “significant risks” to safety, marking a fresh escalation in the diplomatic dispute.
- Tokyo said its position on Taiwan remains unchanged, called for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and condemned the Osaka consul’s now‑deleted threat as “extremely inappropriate.”
- Japan said it also summoned the Chinese ambassador after Consul General Xue Jian posted a menacing message on X referencing reports of Takaichi’s remarks.
- Takaichi’s wording highlights the 2015 law enabling limited collective self‑defense and comes as her government accelerates defense spending toward 2% of GDP.