Chinese Embassy in Japan Issues Notice on WeChat
"Monitor Local Public Safety Closely," Embassy Emphasizes
Criticism Over "Serious Deterioration in China-Japan People-to-People Exchanges"
Following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi indicating that Japan would intervene in the event of a Taiwan contingency, China has been issuing strong criticisms of Japan on a daily basis and has now even advised its citizens to refrain from visiting Japan.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shake hands ahead of the China-Japan summit held in Gyeongju on the 31st of last month. Photo by Yonhap News
On November 15, the Chinese Embassy in Japan announced via its official WeChat account, "The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in Japan, wish to inform you that you should exercise extreme caution if you are planning to visit Japan in the near future." The embassy further emphasized, "For Chinese nationals already in Japan, you should closely monitor the local public safety situation and heighten your awareness of personal security."
The account stated, "Recently, a Japanese leader made openly provocative statements regarding Taiwan, which has seriously worsened the atmosphere of people-to-people exchanges between China and Japan. As a result, the physical safety and lives of Chinese nationals in Japan have been put at significant risk."
It also explained, "Since the beginning of this year, public safety in Japanese society has deteriorated, and there have been several crimes targeting Chinese nationals, including multiple attacks on Chinese citizens in Japan. Some of these cases remain unresolved, and the safety environment for Chinese nationals in Japan continues to worsen."
On November 7, Prime Minister Takaichi, for the first time as a sitting Japanese prime minister, stated in the House of Representatives that a 'Taiwan contingency' could constitute a 'situation threatening Japan's survival,' which would allow Japan to exercise its right to collective self-defense. Since these remarks, tensions between China and Japan have been gradually escalating. Chinese diplomatic authorities have issued strong condemnations in response, while Prime Minister Takaichi has stated that she does not intend to retract her comments.
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