China warns citizens against travel to Japan amid diplomatic tensions
Investing.com -- China has advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan in the near future, citing safety concerns amid escalating diplomatic tensions between the two Asian nations.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement Friday warning that recent comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan have created "major risks" to the safety of Chinese nationals in Japan.
According to the ministry, Japan has experienced social unrest this year with "a surge in crimes against Chinese citizens and numerous attacks against them." The statement noted that some cases remain unsolved and the safety environment for Chinese citizens in Japan continues to deteriorate.
The warning comes amid heightened tensions after Takaichi claimed that an armed Chinese attempt to seize Taiwan could pose an existential risk to Japan. In response, China’s Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong summoned Japanese Ambassador Kenji Kanasugi on Thursday, demanding that Takaichi retract her remarks.
Sun warned that Takaichi should disavow her comments "otherwise all consequences must be borne by Japan," and stated that "if anyone dares to interfere with China’s reunification cause in any form, China will surely strike back hard."
The state-run People’s Daily published a commentary calling Takaichi’s remarks "extremely sinister" and labeling her the first Japanese leader to threaten force against China since Japan’s defeat in 1945.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry advised Chinese citizens already in Japan to "closely monitor the local security situation, raise their awareness of safety precautions, and strengthen self-protection." It urged them to report emergencies to police and contact the Chinese Embassy or Consulates for assistance.
Relations between Beijing and Tokyo have been strained for decades over historical issues and territorial disputes, though tensions had eased somewhat in recent months after China lifted a ban on seafood imports from most parts of Japan.
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