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#japan-china-relations

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Sep 24, 2026

Japan's UN Call to Scrap the 'Enemy State' Clause, and China's Pushback

Japanese netizens returned to Prime Minister Takaichi's UN call to delete the Charter's WWII-era 'enemy state' clauses after China pushed back a day later. Many read China's reaction as proof the request had struck a nerve, and revived calls to cut Japan's UN dues. Singer Miu Sakamoto's criticism of the speech as 'empty words' reopened a separate fight over whether Japan is too deferential to the US. In reality, deleting the clauses would require a two-thirds UN vote and ratification by all permanent members, not a Chinese veto.

Chinese Social-Media Abuse Over the Kumamoto Quake Draws Japanese Counter-Fire

Society

Aug 20, 2026

Chinese Social-Media Abuse Over the Kumamoto Quake Draws Japanese Counter-Fire

A magazine piece describing extreme anti-Japan posts on Chinese social media over the Kumamoto earthquake — including 'this quake is divine punishment' — set off a wave of angry replies in Japan. Rather than simple outrage, many netizens fired back by pointing at China's own floods and disasters. How widely those posts actually circulated is unclear.

Japanese Nationals Detained in China Revive 'Hostage Diplomacy' Fears

Politics

Aug 11, 2026

Japanese Nationals Detained in China Revive 'Hostage Diplomacy' Fears

Several Japanese nationals, including two employees detained in Dalian, were held in China over export controls on rare earths and other dual-use goods. Online, the case revived talk of 'hostage diplomacy,' the risks of doing business in China, and Japan's missing espionage law.

Chinese Netizens Realize How Widely Disliked They Are, and Japan Reacts

Society

Jul 9, 2026

Chinese Netizens Realize How Widely Disliked They Are, and Japan Reacts

Two aggregator sites picked up the idea that Chinese people are 'finally realizing' how disliked they are worldwide. Japanese reactions leaned on structural explanations—information control, the Middle Kingdom mindset—but a notable minority pushed back with 'Japan was hated in the bubble era too.'

Politics

Jul 1, 2026

China Flexes, Taiwan Claps Back

China-related tension and Taiwan's humorous counter landed at once. Xi Jinping used the Communist Party's 105th-anniversary event to restate his 'resolve' to complete 'reunification' with Taiwan (consistent with AP / El País reporting). Around the same time, two Fuji Electric employees were formally arrested in Dalian on suspicion of 'smuggling' rare-earth magnets, widely read as hostage-taking and a show trial. Meanwhile a Taiwanese TV station beat back Chinese pirate streams of the World Cup by flashing 'Tiananmen'-style words on screen to trigger China's own censorship filters — cheered as a clever application of a trick Japanese illustrators use against art theft.

China Abruptly Halts Japan Group-Tour Sales—and Japanese Netizens Cheer

Society

Jun 21, 2026

China Abruptly Halts Japan Group-Tour Sales—and Japanese Netizens Cheer

A Chinese state-owned travel agency began advertising six-night Japan group tours again, only to switch the listings to 'sold out' on the evening of June 19—an abrupt halt reportedly triggered by Beijing after the restart drew media attention. Rather than disappointment, Japanese netizens reacted with relief over reduced overtourism and sardonic 'thanks, Xi' jokes, mocking the government's same-day flip-flop.

China Restarts—Then Abruptly Halts—Group Tours to Japan, and Netizens Cheer the Whiplash

Society

Jun 20, 2026

China Restarts—Then Abruptly Halts—Group Tours to Japan, and Netizens Cheer the Whiplash

Chinese state-owned travel agencies moved to resume group tours to Japan for the summer, with 6–7 day Tokyo–Osaka itineraries already on sale. Then, on the evening of June 19, the listings flipped to 'sales ended'—reportedly after media coverage prompted Beijing to tighten the screws again. Japanese netizens met the restart with an over-tourism backlash and the reversal with mocking relief.

Japan's Cold Response to China's 'Please Visit' Tourism Plea

Politics

May 31, 2026

Japan's Cold Response to China's 'Please Visit' Tourism Plea

Japanese travel to China has reportedly collapsed since late-2025 tensions, and a Chinese appeal for tourists drew a frosty response. Netizens cited detention risk, surveillance, and payment barriers, while China's pushback against a Japan–Philippines maritime deal drew charges of double standards.

Japan's East Asia Fault Lines: Vietnam Rail, Takaichi in Seoul, China's TPP Stunt

Politics

May 20, 2026

Japan's East Asia Fault Lines: Vietnam Rail, Takaichi in Seoul, China's TPP Stunt

Japanese netizens reacted to three converging stories: Vietnam adopting a Chinese model for its 10-trillion-yen high-speed rail, Prime Minister Takaichi receiving an unexpectedly warm reception in Seoul, and China extending invitations to TPP-related events despite not being a member.