What’s Behind The Rising Tensions Between China And Japan Over Taiwan?

While Europe deals with its own troubles, Asia is heating up too. China and Japan are now caught in an increasingly tense showdown over Taiwan. Things started heating up after Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, hinted earlier this month that Tokyo wouldn’t sit quietly if China moved on Taiwan, even suggesting Japan’s own defence forces could step in. A Chinese official then fired back with a remark that many people felt sounded like a threat against Takaichi. What began as nothing more than a confrontation has now turned into something much more serious than just harsh words.

During a parliamentary session on November 7, an opposition member asked what kind of Taiwan scenario would qualify as a survival-threatening situation for Japan, and that’s when the Japanese Prime Minister made the controversial statement. After World War II, Japan’s constitution strictly limits the use of military force to settle conflicts between countries. However, in 2015, under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a new law was passed that allows Japan to come to the defence of its allies in certain situations, even if Japan itself isn’t directly attacked.

China fired back almost instantly. It began with a fiery X post from Xue Jian, the Chinese consul general in Osaka, where he even warned he could “cut a dirty neck without a moment of hesitation”, a remark that was so extreme the post didn’t stay up for long. Soon after, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stepped in, urging Japan to stop sending any signal that could boost Taiwan independence supporters. Both sides ended up filing complaints: Japan over Xue’s harsh words and China over what Takaichi said.

In the days that followed, the situation moved into everyday life. Beijing delayed the release of two major Japanese movies, and some Chinese airlines began giving travellers their money back for Japan-bound tickets. China’s state broadcaster also pointed out that ticket sales for the Japanese hit Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle have dipped in recent days. China has indicated it will ban all imports of Japanese seafood. Both governments also put out safety notices — China advising people to rethink trips to Japan, and Japan telling its citizens in China to be cautious. On top of that, each side called in the other’s ambassador for some pointed conversations.

Beijing insists Taiwan is part of China and has made it clear that if persuasion doesn’t work, it’s prepared to take the island by force in the name of “reunification”. At the same time, Japan doesn’t officially recognise Taiwan as an independent nation, and the two sides don’t have formal diplomatic ties. Still, much like the US, Tokyo keeps an unofficial channel open with Taiwan and repeatedly stresses that any China-Taiwan issue should be settled calmly and without force. The world is closely watching the rising strain between China and Japan, unsure of what comes next. Many fear this tense chapter could drag on for months.