China has issued a travel advisory urging its citizens to avoid visiting Japan, escalating a diplomatic row triggered by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks that suggested Tokyo could militarily intervene in a potential conflict over Taiwan.
The tensions began on November 7, 2025, when Prime Minister Takaichi, responding to a question in Japan’s parliament, stated that if China were to use force against Taiwan, involving battleships and military action, it could constitute a ‘survival-threatening situation’ for Japan. Under Japan’s 2015 security laws, this would allow the activation of self-defence forces to respond. Her comments immediately drew sharp criticism from Beijing, with China’s foreign ministry labeling them as ‘egregious’ and a gross interference in China’s internal affairs.
In response, China’s foreign ministry lodged a formal protest and summoned the Japanese ambassador to express strong dissatisfaction. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong called Takaichi’s remarks ‘extremely wrong and dangerous’ and demanded that Japan withdraw them, warning that otherwise, Japan would bear all consequences. Meanwhile, Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, Minoru Kihara, reiterated that Japan’s position on Taiwan has not changed and emphasized a desire for peaceful resolution through dialogue.
The dispute intensified when Xue Jian, China’s consul general in Osaka, made a controversial post on social media, which included a statement interpreted as a threat to ‘cut off that dirty neck,’ apparently referring to Takaichi. Japan protested this as highly inappropriate, and the post was later removed. Japan’s ruling party even passed a resolution calling for Xue to be declared persona non grata, further straining relations.
On November 14, 2025, China’s embassy in Japan issued a statement on WeChat, advising Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan in the near future due to what it called ‘blatantly provocative remarks’ by Japanese leaders. The embassy cited significant risks to personal safety, marking a significant escalation in the diplomatic feud. This travel advisory reflects the deepening rift between the two nations.
Historical animosities underlie the current tensions, dating back to Japan’s occupation of Taiwan until 1945 and wartime conflicts. China views Taiwan as an inseparable part of its territory and has not ruled out using force for reunification. Takaichi, known for her hawkish stance on China, has previously supported closer ties with Taiwan, and her comments represent a shift from Japan’s traditional strategic ambiguity on the issue, similar to the U.S. approach.
The situation highlights the fragile balance in East Asian geopolitics. Both China and Japan are major trading partners, but issues like Taiwan, territorial disputes, and military buildups frequently test their relationship. Takaichi’s ascent to power, with her conservative and pro-Taiwan leanings, suggests that such diplomatic spats may become more common, potentially affecting regional stability. Looking ahead, the travel advisory could impact tourism and economic exchanges, and while diplomatic efforts continue, the Taiwan issue remains a volatile flashpoint with implications for international peace.
