Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Japan Urges China to Respect Takaichi Amid Taiwan Tensions
Japan and China are having a disagreement.
A Chinese official spoke about Japan’s leader, Sanae Takaichi, using her name but not her title.
Japan said countries should show respect to each other’s leaders and told China it was concerned.
The disagreement comes as the two countries have been arguing about Taiwan.
Takaichi previously said Japan might get involved if Taiwan were attacked.
China says Taiwan belongs to it.
Japanese lawmakers have recently visited China to try to reduce tensions.
Takaichi has also said China is an important neighbour and that she wants a steady relationship.
Japan urged Beijing to show appropriate respect after a Chinese spokesman referred to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi by name without her title.
Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Toshihiro Kitamura said Tokyo had conveyed its concerns to Beijing.
The Chinese spokesman, Guo Jiakun, used Takaichi’s name at a September 30 news conference while discussing Japanese debate on nuclear weapons and nuclear submarines.
Relations have worsened after Takaichi suggested in 2025 that Japan might intervene if Taiwan were attacked; Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory.
Takaichi recently called China an important neighbour and pledged to pursue a stable relationship, while Japanese lawmakers have visited China to ease tensions.
- Who
- The Japanese government and Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun; Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is at the center of the dispute.
- What
- Japan urged China to show appropriate respect after Guo referred to Takaichi by name without her title.
- When
- Japan disclosed its concern on Wednesday; Guo made the reference at a September 30 news conference.
- Where
- The diplomatic exchange is between Japan and China.
- Why
- Japan said international protocol calls for appropriate respect for another country's leader; the episode comes amid strained relations over Taiwan and other issues.
Japan's position
China's position
Use of the prime minister's title
Japan's position
Japan says international protocol calls for appropriate respect for another country's leader and has conveyed its concern to Beijing.
China's position
The article reports that Guo used Takaichi's name without her title but does not provide China's explanation or response to Japan's concern.
Taiwan and regional tensions
Japan's position
Takaichi said Japan may intervene if Taiwan were attacked, and she has also described China as an important neighbour and pledged to seek stable ties.
China's position
Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory; the article gives no further Chinese response to Takaichi's remarks.
- Japanese prime minister
- Sanae Takaichi
- Japanese foreign ministry spokesman
- Toshihiro Kitamura
- Chinese foreign ministry spokesman
- Guo Jiakun
- Chinese news conference
- September 30
- Issue discussed at the news conference
- Japanese talks on possessing nuclear weapons and nuclear submarines
- Source of broader tensions
- Takaichi's suggestion that Japan might intervene if Taiwan were attacked