CaliToday (27/12/2025): Relations between Asia’s two largest economies have hit a new nadir this week. China’s Foreign Ministry has lodged a "stern diplomatic demarche" against Japan, following a defiant parade of high-ranking officials from Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to Taiwan.
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| Koichi Hagiuda, deputy secretary-general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party |
A "Parade" of Dignitaries
Despite fierce warnings from Beijing, Tokyo has accelerated its engagement with Taipei. The controversy centers on a series of high-profile visits that Beijing views as a direct challenge to its sovereignty.
- The Heavyweights: The delegation included Koichi Hagiuda, the LDP’s Deputy Secretary-General, who concluded a critical three-day trip on Tuesday. His agenda included a face-to-face meeting with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, a move interpreted by Beijing as a de facto recognition of Taiwan's government.
- The Old Guard: Adding fuel to the fire, a heavyweight delegation led by LDP Vice President Taro Aso including former Foreign Minister Taro Kono arrived in Taipei on Wednesday (Dec 24).
- The Next Wave: Reports indicate this is just the beginning. Approximately 30 more Japanese lawmakers are scheduled to visit the island in early 2026, signaling a systemic shift in Tokyo's foreign policy.
Beijing’s Fury: "Reflect Deeply"
On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian did not mince words. "China firmly opposes this and has lodged stern representations with the Japanese side," Lin stated during a press briefing. He urged Tokyo to "reflect deeply on its historical mistakes"—a loaded phrase often used to remind Japan of its WWII-era occupation of China.
The Takaichi Doctrine
Analysts point out that these visits are not isolated incidents but part of a harder line taken by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Known for her hawkish stance, PM Takaichi recently stirred controversy in the National Diet by explicitly linking a "Taiwan emergency" to Japan's own national security survival.
Dangerous Escalation: Radar Lock-ons and Travel Bans
The tension has moved beyond diplomatic verbal sparring into dangerous military and economic territory.
- Military Provocation: In a chilling development earlier this month, Japan’s Ministry of Defense reported that a Chinese military aircraft directed its fire-control radar at a jet from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). This action, typically a precursor to firing a weapon, was condemned by Tokyo as "extremely dangerous."
- Economic Weaponization: On the economic front, Beijing has begun to turn the screws. Chinese authorities have issued advisories recommending their citizens avoid travel to Japan, a move that threatens to hit Japan’s tourism industry hard ahead of the New Year holiday.
Tokyo's Defiance
Despite the multi-pronged pressure, Japanese lawmakers remain undeterred. "We need to respond to China continuously and resolutely," a veteran LDP lawmaker told the press, speaking on condition of anonymity. The sentiment in Tokyo is clear: In the face of a rising China, silence is no longer an option.