Japan-China Tensions Rise Over Taiwan Security Concerns

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a press conference after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, on November 1, 2025. Photo credit: The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images.

There is no honeymoon in the relationship between Japan and China: tensions persist and have sharply escalated after the new Prime Minister of Japan, Sanae Takaichi, met with China’s leader Xi Jinping just a few weeks ago.

Sanae Takaichi, who became the world’s first female Prime Minister of Japan last month, found herself at the center of a growing public confrontation with Beijing over Taiwan – a democratic territory that the Chinese Communist Party regards as its own and that is a red line for international action.

The peak moment of confrontation came on November 7 during a parliamentary address, when Takaichi stated that a potential attack on Taiwan – just about 100 kilometers from Japanese territory – would mean a “situation threatening Japan’s existence” and could provoke a military response from Tokyo.

Beijing continues to leave little room for the use of force to seize the island and, in recent years, has significantly stepped up the frequency and scale of its military drills near Taiwan.

Previous Japanese leaders avoided direct discussion of Taiwan in the context of a military response, while Washington has expressed rather cautious intentions – a policy known as “strategic ambiguity.”

Past experience in relations with China has shown that this issue can plunge the world into a diplomatic storm, but the overall picture remains: Japan’s relations with Beijing stay sensitive due to historical grievances and regional security concerns.

“A rotten throat that meddles in others’ affairs should be cut.”

Beijing’s reaction and the international drama

In response to Takaichi’s remarks, China said that her post on social media was “incorrect and dangerous,” and also accused Japan of “strong interference in the country’s internal affairs.” The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China stressed that the post was a response to the “false and dangerous remarks” by the Japanese prime minister.

China has also stepped up statements related to “wolf-warrior diplomacy” – an aggressive style of foreign policy that emerged in the early 2020s and used social media for direct replies to criticism of China. And while Beijing later somewhat toned down the rhetoric, domestic criticism is rising in the run-up to important periods in the region.

“Did a donkey head-butt her?”

Tokyo’s side responded by noting that public statements are hypothetical scenarios, and Takaichi pledged to refrain from repeating such formulations in Parliament. Yet the prime minister faces reality: Japan is an important trading partner for China, while also having growing defense capabilities and a clear stance on regional security.

After meeting Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in the subsequent months, Takaichi stated that their relationship is based on a “partnership of mutual benefit,” but raised the issue of active Chinese activity in the East China Sea, which fuels concerns in Taiwan and other regional countries.

This tension unfolds against the backdrop of long-standing historical strains between Japan and China – stemming from Tokyo’s colonial and military past – and underscores the risks to regional stability. In September this year, China marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with a parade and a significant military demonstration, which represented the ongoing debate over historical responsibility for Taiwan and regional consequences.

Analysts note that the current clash complicates efforts toward stable economic cooperation and underscores the likelihood of new crises amid rising militarization and the activation of “wolf-warrior diplomacy” in response to criticism from the West.

Japan remains an important trading partner for China, but defense policy and the role of the United States as an ally are seen as key factors shaping the dynamics of relations in East Asia. In this context, the future steps of both countries will be crucial for regional stability and global security.

A Look to the Future

Both leaders are now seeking a balance between tough criticism and the need to preserve economic and political ties. The world is watching developments regarding Taiwan and whether the sides can avoid a full-blown crisis while keeping an open channel of dialogue even in periods of tension.