"China is an important neighbor for Japan, and we need to build a constructive, stable relationship. Japan is always ready for dialogue with China. We are not closing that door," said Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on 17/12.

Takaichi affirmed Japan's desire to continue frank dialogue and comprehensively promote a mutually beneficial relationship with China, based on shared strategic interests.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on 17/12. *Photo: AFP*

Prime Minister Takaichi's latest statement appears to signal her intention to de-escalate tensions with Beijing.

On 16/12, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun reiterated the demand for Japan to retract Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks about Taiwan. Guo observed that Japan is "trying to evade the issue."

Last month, Takaichi stated that in a scenario involving an attack on Taiwan, Tokyo could deploy its self-defense forces if the conflict posed an existential threat to Japan. Taiwan is 100 km from Japan's nearest island.

This statement pushed Japan-China relations into a crisis. China considers Taiwan a province awaiting reunification and has declared its readiness to use force if necessary.

Beijing issued warnings advising citizens to limit travel to Japan and recommending students carefully consider studying in Japan. Several Japanese films were pulled from Chinese cinemas, and performances by Japanese artists were canceled. A wave of boycotts against Japanese goods and restaurants emerged on Chinese social media. Beijing also tightened its ban on seafood imports from Japan, originally imposed due to the Fukushima wastewater issue.

Ngoc Anh (According to AFP, Reuters, Nippon)