China warns citizens to avoid Japan amid escalating tensions over Taiwan

China on Friday warned its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan.

According to a report in Nikkei Asia, this warning is the latest development in the bilateral tension caused by Japanese minister Sanae Takaichi’s statements regarding Taiwan.

In a statement, the Chinese Embassy in Japan warned, “Japanese leaders have made openly provocative statements regarding the Taiwan issue. The atmosphere of people-to-people relations between Japan and China has significantly deteriorated, and this situation seriously endangers the safety of Chinese citizens.”

The Chinese Embassy called on Chinese citizens living in Japan to be cautious.

Takaichi said in parliament last week that if China were to launch a military attack on Taiwan and use force against US troops attempting to defend Taiwan, it could become an “existential threat situation” for Japan.

If the government assesses the situation in this way, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces could be permitted to use force even if Japan is not under attack.

On Thursday, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong summoned Japan’s Ambassador to China, Kenji Kanasugi, to demand a retraction of Takaichi’s “extremely malicious” words.

Kanasugi stated that Takaichi’s comments were consistent with the government’s current position, adding that Japan has no intention of interfering in the Taiwan issue.

This was the first time the Chinese Foreign Ministry had summoned a Japanese ambassador for a protest since its protest over the release of treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea in August 2023.

Sun’s protest was more severe this time. A Japanese government official stated that the reaction was expressed more seriously than usual.

The day after Takaichi’s statements, China’s Consul General in Osaka, Xue Jian, wrote on X, “We have no choice but to cut off that dirty neck that attacks us without hesitation,” a post that was later deleted.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said at a press conference on Friday, “We have repeatedly and strongly urged the Chinese side to take appropriate measures,” but did not provide details.

Beijing is standing by the post. The Foreign Ministry argues that Xue’s words were not aimed at Takaichi but at the dangerous statements that could cause military action in the Taiwan Strait.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Defense said on Friday that if Japan were to intervene militarily in the Taiwan issue, it would “suffer a crushing defeat and pay a heavy price against the iron-willed People’s Liberation Army.”

Last month, Takaichi met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Gyeongju, South Korea, for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ summit. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing strategic and mutually beneficial relations.

However, during the same visit, Takaichi also met with Taiwan’s representative and former Deputy Prime Minister, Lin Hsin-i, which drew a reaction from China.