Japan Softens Tone as China Demands Retraction Over Taiwan Remarks

Overview

• Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi restated that Japan’s position on Taiwan is unchanged and returned to the standard formula of judging any crisis through a comprehensive assessment.
• Beijing kept up pressure by insisting on a retraction and warning of severe countermeasures after earlier summoning Japan’s ambassador and denouncing the remarks as irresponsible.
• China expanded retaliatory steps, including suspending Japanese seafood imports, urging citizens to avoid travel to Japan, and stalling new approvals for Japanese films and cultural meetings.
• Tokyo has sought to cool tensions by dispatching a representative to Beijing and engaging in talks that produced no breakthrough, saying its security policy has not changed.
• Security frictions persisted with Chinese vessels near the Senkaku/Diaoyu area and a suspected drone sighting, as Japan’s defense chief plans visits to Okinawa bases, while Taiwan’s president publicly signaled support for Japan.