China-Japan Relations

Did Japan just ‘downgrade’ China in its Diplomatic Bluebook?

Japan’s latest Diplomatic Bluebook describes China as “an important neighbouring country”, when it used to be “one of Japan’s most important bilateral relations”, prompting backlash from China. Academic Shin Kawashima says there is no need to read too much into the change in phrasing.

Shin Kawashima

03 Jun 2026

Lai Ching-te’s Japan-era tribute clouds Trump-Xi summit

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s visit to honour Japanese-era engineer Yoichi Hatta at Wushantou Reservoir has triggered political backlash at home and criticism from Beijing, coming just days before the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing, where Taiwan tensions loom. Lianhe Zaobao’s China Desk looks into the matter.

China Desk, Lianhe Zaobao

12 May 2026

With Japan less than welcoming, where do the Chinese ‘run’ to?

Amid “involution” and competition in China, some Chinese are opting to migrate to Japan. However, given the current political tension between China and Japan, things are not as rosy as they had hoped. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Lim Zhan Ting speaks to some Chinese in Japan to get their views.

Lim Zhan Ting

26 Mar 2026

Baseball or diplomacy? Taiwan premier’s Japan trip draws scrutiny

Amid upcoming visits by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to the US and by US President Donald Trump to China, Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai has also made headlines with his trip to Japan for a baseball game. Despite claims of it being a private visit, is there more to it? Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei looks at what signals Taiwan and Japan are giving.

Sim Tze Wei

12 Mar 2026

Why Chinese hawks cheer Takaichi's win

Takaichi’s landslide win and Japan’s hardline turn are not just Tokyo’s story. In Beijing, it gives hardliners moral cover, reframes tension as destiny and turns miscalculation into a dangerous new logic for East Asia. Commentator Deng Yuwen analyses the situation.

Deng Yuwen

19 Feb 2026

How Takaichi’s landslide win will shape Japan’s China and ASEAN ties

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) landslide victory gives Takaichi political stability and a strong mandate, enabling her to press Beijing, mend ties and strengthen engagement with ASEAN while balancing US alliance priorities. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Tan Jet Min reports.

Tan Jet Min

09 Feb 2026

Takaichi’s gamble: Can charisma carry Japan?

Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi has called a surprise election, betting her personal appeal and high approval ratings can rally voters, check the opposition and secure a mandate to steer Japan through uncertainty. Academic Zhang Yun gives his analysis.

Zhang Yun

05 Feb 2026

Japan’s entertainment dilemma: Navigating China’s cultural clampdown

The strained political relations between China and Japan have a far-reaching impact, not least the entertainment industry. Japanese academic Seio Nakajima takes a look at the recent difficulties in Japan-China cultural exchanges and how Japanese businesses should move forward.

Seio Nakajima

04 Feb 2026

Takaichi’s gamble: Can an early election secure Japan’s future?

Despite the risks, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has decided to hold a snap general election. Academic Zhang Yun observes that external factors are a major consideration for Takaichi’s risk-taking, in particular Japan’s relations with China.

Zhang Yun

20 Jan 2026

Japanese academic: What the 1972 Japan-China Joint Communique really means

The carefully worded 1972 Japan-China Joint Communique has long been the basis of Japan-China relations, but as regional tensions mount, inherent contradictions and interpretations of the text may become more problematic, opines Japanese academic Shin Kawashima.

Shin Kawashima

29 Dec 2025

Taiwan’s US$40 billion gamble: Defence buildup amid China-Japan-US tensions

Taiwan recently announced a US$40 billion special defence budget, in addition to its regular annual defence budget. This and other ramped-up measures show Taiwan’s sense of urgency in building up its defence to deal with possible emergency situations. Academic Ghulam Ali explains.

Ghulam Ali

04 Dec 2025

China-Japan dispute: Japanese entertainers caught in the political fallout

It appears that all aspects of society cannot be separated from politics, with the entertainment industry being the latest collateral damage in the China-Japan dispute. Lianhe Zaobao China news editor Yang Danxu takes a look at the impact on musical concerts and shows over the past week.

Yang Danxu

03 Dec 2025