2025–2026 China–Japan diplomatic crisis

Relations between China and Japan entered a state of crisis in November 2025, after Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi said in the Japanese parliament that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could potentially constitute an "existential crisis for Japan" under the Legislation for Peace and Security, allowing Japan to take military action in collective self-defence. Following these remarks, the Chinese consul general in Osaka, Xue Jian, made threatening comments against Takaichi on X (formerly Twitter), triggering a diplomatic row between the countries.

Both sides protested the other's remarks. In response to questions from Japanese parliamentarians, Takaichi refused to withdraw her remarks, arguing that they were consistent with the Japanese government's existing position on the issue. Japan requested that China take "appropriate measures" against Xue. China refused, demanded Takaichi retract her statements, and issued numerous retaliatory measures against Japan, including issuing a travel advisory, restricting travel and cultural exchanges, and cutting off seafood imports from the country. In 2026, the dispute further escalated with China restricting the export of dual-use items and rare earth materials to Japan.