October 5, 2026

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday called China an "important neighbor" and said Japan would advance its strategic relationship of mutual benefit,  with China, while claiming that it would firmly "assert" its positions on issues including the East and South China Seas and what it called China's "regional military activities," and demanding that China take "responsible actions," Kyodo News reported.

Some Chinese experts said Takaichi's remarks were a perfunctory response to mounting pressure both at home and abroad, with the conciliatory rhetoric aimed at placating Japan's business community amid closely intertwined China-Japan supply chains and calls for the restoration of normal economic and trade ties. However, the Japanese government's fundamental stance toward China has not changed, and the remarks essentially amount to another provocation against China.

Takaichi made those remarks during a policy speech on Monday in both Diet chambers, according to Japanese media reports. Referring to China as an "important neighbor" despite increasingly strained bilateral ties, she said Japan would strengthen communication on "common challenges" and promote dialogue aimed at protecting Japan's national interests, the Sankei Shimbun reported.

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