China has advised its citizens not to travel to Japan after days of a diplomatic crisis over comments by Japan’s new prime minister hypothesizing an attack on Taiwan.
Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first female ruler, told parliament last week that an armed attack on Taiwan by China could justify sending troops to support the democratically ruled island, but Beijing still claims it as part of its territory and has not ruled out taking it back by force if necessary.
- read more: China and Japan recall ambassador following diplomatic clash over Taiwan and threat to Japanese prime minister by Chinese consul general
This Friday (14th), the Chinese government summoned the Japanese ambassador as a sign of protest, while the Japanese government took similar action against China’s diplomatic representative after the consul posted a later-deleted online post calling for “Mr. Gaoichi’s head to be cut off.” Amid the differences of opinion, Japan maintained that its position on Taiwan had not changed.
In an online publication on Friday night, the Chinese embassy in Japan warned its citizens against traveling to the Asian islands.
-Recently, Japanese leaders have openly made provocative statements regarding Taiwan, seriously damaging the environment for people-to-people exchanges, the diplomatic mission asserted on the messaging platform WeChat.
The situation poses a “grave risk to the personal safety and lives of Chinese nationals in Japan,” he added.