China has officially advised its citizens against traveling to Japan , marking a further escalation of diplomatic tensions between the two nations, exacerbated by recent statements by a senior Japanese official regarding the defense of Taiwan .

🗣️ The Source of Controversy

This recommendation follows remarks made by Japan's new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi , before the Japanese Parliament on November 7. She had raised the possibility that an emergency situation in Taiwan —particularly "the deployment of warships and the use of force"—could constitute a "threat to Japan's survival ." She added, "We must consider the worst-case scenario."

These statements have been widely interpreted as suggesting that an attack on the island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims, could justify military intervention by Tokyo to support the island.

1. Japanese Rules of Intervention: Japan can only intervene militarily in the event of an existential threat. Taiwan, located just 100 kilometers from the nearest Japanese island, makes this scenario plausible according to some observers.

🇨🇳 Beijing's reaction

The Chinese embassy in Tokyo issued a statement Friday evening denouncing "openly provocative remarks towards Taiwan" made by Japanese leaders, and stressed that this "seriously damages the climate of exchanges between peoples" .

1. Formal Warning: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in Japan solemnly remind Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan in the near future," the statement reads.
2. Diplomatic Summons: On Friday, Beijing summoned the Japanese ambassador, describing Ms. Takaichi's statements as "extremely serious" .

🇯🇵 Tokyo replica

Japan, for its part, also summoned the Chinese ambassador after a threat deemed "extremely inappropriate" made by the Chinese consul general in Osaka, Xue Jian. In a message subsequently deleted on X (formerly Twitter), Xue Jian threatened to "cut off that ugly head without the slightest hesitation," citing a news article reporting the Prime Minister's intervention.

Tokyo reaffirmed on Friday that its position on Taiwan remained "unchanged" and called for "peace and stability" .

Beijing claims sovereignty over Taiwan and maintains its threat to use force to bring the island under its control.