Acting head takes post at Japan's Chongqing mission after long vacancy

A Japanese acting consul general, Shigehiro Nishiumi, has taken up his position in Chongqing, China, following an eight-month vacancy, according to a Japanese government source. Nishiumi, who previously served as a deputy consul general in Hong Kong, assumed his role at Japan's diplomatic mission in the southwestern Chinese city on August 4th. Despite his acting title, the source noted that this change has not impacted services at the office.

Chongqing has been without a designated head of the Japanese diplomatic mission since December 5th, when Mari Takada moved to the consulate general position in Shenyang, located in northeastern China. The Japanese government had already informed China about its intention to appoint Nishiumi as consul general, but Beijing has yet to give its consent. Despite the ongoing dispute, Japan plans to continue seeking approval from China for the appointment.

Tensions between the two nations have been heightened since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made remarks in November suggesting that Japan would act if Taiwan were attacked. China, being the self-ruled democratic island claimed by China, has been exerting increased pressure on Tokyo. Japan maintains consulates general in five locations within mainland China, including Chongqing, as well as one in Hong Kong.