Tokyo has launched urgent diplomatic outreach as Beijing ramps up retaliation, media attacks, and travel warnings over Takaichi’s Taiwan comments

TOKYO -- China tensions triggered by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent comment on a potential crisis in Taiwan remain high, but two related issues -- Japan acting alongside U.S. forces and its exercise of collective self-defense rights in defending the island -- need to be considered separately, former officials say.

Her recent comments do not represent a new commitment for Japan to defend Taiwan – or a departure from previous policy.

Japan is mounting a broad diplomatic effort to ease tensions with China after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan sparked a sharp backlash from Beijing that raised fears of a breakdown in economic ties.

Relations between the two neighbours have soured recently after Takaichi became the first sitting Japanese leader in decades to publicly link a Taiwan Strait crisis with the possible deployment of Japanese troops.

The Japanese public is divided over exercising collective self-defense against a Chinese attack on Taiwan. A recent poll shows mixed opinions, while Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi aims to boost defense spending.

Japan and China are facing off in an angry spat over the status of Taiwan – part of China for Beijing, an independent and friendly state for Tokyo.