Beijing has launched a scathing attack on Tokyo, accusing Japan of embarking on a path of "reckless new militarism" as tensions between the two nations escalate. China's denouncement comes amidst new export controls imposed on 40 Japanese companies, targeting dual-use items that have both civilian and military applications – a move Beijing frames as a response to Japan's perceived aggressive stance.
The latest measures follow a period of heightened friction, with Japan protesting against joint exercises conducted by Chinese and Russian bombers near its airspace. The incident has sparked concerns in Tokyo about China's growing military assertiveness and the reliability of the United States as an ally. Beijing's coast guard had also been accused of encroaching on Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone, while Japan announced plans to deploy missile launchers on its easternmost island.
At the heart of the current downturn in relations lies a series of comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shortly after taking office. In November 2025, Takaichi stated that an attack on Taiwan could trigger the deployment of Japan's self-defence forces if such a conflict posed an existential threat to Japan. While these comments align with existing policy, previous Japanese leaders have generally refrained from openly discussing potential military involvement in Taiwan.
China reacted with fury, accusing Takaichi of interfering in its domestic affairs and imposing economic sanctions, including cancelling diplomatic meetings and discouraging Chinese citizens from visiting Japan. The tensions have had a tangible impact on bilateral relations, resulting in reduced flights, cancelled academic and cultural exchanges, and an ongoing ban on Japanese seafood imports.
The deep-seated historical grievances between the two nations continue to fuel the animosity. China maintains that Japan has never adequately atoned for its brutal occupation of China during the Second World War. This historical wound is frequently invoked by Beijing when it criticises Japan's defence posture, portraying it as a threat to regional peace. While numerous Japanese prime ministers, cabinet members, and even emperors have offered apologies, China often contrasts Japan's approach with Germany's more extensive efforts to reconcile with its wartime past.
Japan, for its part, is increasingly driven to bolster its defence capabilities due to concerns about the reliability of the United States as an ally, particularly under a potential future Donald Trump presidency. This year, Japan has increased its defence budget by 9.4% to approximately $58 billion, aiming to reach a target of spending 2% of its GDP on defence. There is also a long-standing political drive within Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, supported by Prime Minister Takaichi, to revise the pacifist clause in its post-war constitution.