China approves Japanese envoy in Chongqing, ending 8-month vacancy
China has approved a new Japanese acting consul general in Chongqing, ending an eight-month vacancy at the mission following a bilateral freeze. Shigehiro Nishiumi, who previously served as Japan’s deputy consul general in Hong Kong, assumed the post at Japan’s diplomatic mission in the southwestern municipality of Chongqing on August 4, according to Japanese news agency Kyodo, citing an unnamed…
Japan has appointed a new acting consul general in Chongqing, China, after an eight-month gap in the diplomatic mission. Shigehiro Nishiumi, who previously served as Japan’s deputy consul general in Hong Kong, took up the role on August 4, according to Kyodo news agency. The position had remained vacant since December 5, when Mari Takada, the former head of mission, was reassigned to lead the consulate in Shenyang.
Chinese authorities reportedly stalled the approval of Takada's successor, a move that came amid deteriorating ties between the two nations. The situation escalated in November when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned that a People’s Liberation Army attack on Taiwan could threaten Japan's survival and prompt a military response.
Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of China, has responded with diplomatic pressure, including restrictions on Japanese seafood imports, warnings against Japanese tourists visiting China, and tighter controls on rare earth exports. The diplomatic chill has also affected commercial exchanges, with a Japanese business delegation cancelling its annual visit to Beijing for the first time in 13 years.
Despite these challenges, several Japanese economic groups plan to visit China in September and October.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
