Managing Difference: Rethinking Japan-China Crisis Prevention
It has been more than eight months since an off-the cuff remark by Prime Minister Takaichi about how Japan might respond to a Taiwan contingency triggered a fierce backlash from Beijing that is still ongoing. The author calls on Tokyo to shift the thrust of its China policy from resolving differences to averting armed clashes.
Since November 2025, Japan-China relations have been volatile, following Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's comment about a Taiwan Strait situation potentially threatening Japan's survival. China's response has been more than just criticism; it includes trade and people-to-people exchange restrictions. The phrase "survival-threatening situation" refers to a scenario where Japan could use its right to collective self-defense, which is not an automatic action.
Chinese officials and media have been critical of Japan, using the term "new militarism" to describe Japan's perceived rearmament. Chinese President Xi Jinping has also used this term in criticizing Japan at international summits.
Chinese authorities have tightened restrictions on dual-use goods and entities involved in defense, causing a strain on people-to-people exchanges. The root of the issue lies in differing perceptions of Taiwan and cross-strait issues. In Japanese security circles, tensions are often discussed in terms of physical security, while in China, the Taiwan issue is seen as a fundamental goal tied to national identity and history.
This difference in focus on ontological security versus physical security contributes to the ongoing tensions between Japan and China. Resolving these issues requires understanding and addressing these differing perceptions.
Written by urgent.news from Nippon.com's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
