Politics China turns up the heat on Japan

[thomas]

Beijing continues to increase political and economic pressure on Japan while remaining in what can only be called diplomatic sulk mode:

China imposed new export controls Monday on 40 Japanese entities it says are contributing to the country's "remilitarization," as tensions with Tokyo rise. Relations between Beijing and Tokyo have been increasingly tense since Japanese PM Takaichi last year implied Japan could intervene if China used military force against Taiwan, an island democracy China claims as its own. China's Commerce Ministry on Monday placed 20 Japanese entities, including multiple divisions of Mitsubishi Corporation, on a control list that prohibits Chinese and foreign exporters from selling them dual-use items made in China. Dual-use items can be used for both civilian and military purposes. Additionally, 20 other entities have been added to a watch list for dual-use items, according to the ministry. It includes Mitsui E&S, which manufactures engines and other equipment for ships, as well as divisions of Fujitsu and Komatsu.

China imposes export controls on 40 Japanese entities as tensions with Tokyo rise

China has imposed new export controls on 40 Japanese entities, accusing them of contributing to Japan’s “remilitarization.”

apnews.com

China keeps throttling rare earth exports to Japan:

https://www.mining.com/china-reaffirms-japan-rare-earth-ban-despite-us-request/

China and Russia have stepped up their joint patrol flights around the Japanese archipelago, such as this one last Saturday:

China and Russia sent bombers and fighter jets for a "joint strategic air patrol" in airspace over the Sea of Japan, East China Sea and western Pacific on Saturday, according to the Defence Ministry in Beijing. The ministry said the long-range patrol, the 11th between the two air forces, demonstrated "their resolve and capability to safeguard regional peace and stability jointly." Japan's Defence Ministry said it had scrambled fighter jets in response, adding that it had tracked the movements by the Chinese and Russian aircraft — including four Chinese H-6 bombers and two Russian Tu-95 bombers — from Saturday morning through the afternoon. The flight also involved two Russian Tu-142 patrol aircraft, two Chinese J-16 fighter jets and one Russian Su-30 fighter jet. A map of the aircraft's flight path accompanying the ministry's statement showed that some of the bombers had flown through the Miyako Strait near Okinawa Prefecture and into the western Pacific, south of Shikoku, before returning the way they came.

Chinese and Russian bombers and fighter jets stage joint patrol near Japan

China’s Defense Ministry said the flight demonstrated the two countries’ “resolve and capability to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.”

www.japantimes.co.jp

China continues to repeat claims of a "renewed Japanese militarism", yet Japan's military build-up is arguably a response to China's increasingly assertive behaviour in the South China Sea.

Chinese President Xi Jinping had called for opposing attempts to "revive militarism" when he visited North Korea in early June. Other countries have joined China in denouncing "militarism" without specifically naming Japan. A joint statement issued by Pakistan in May following a summit said the two nations "oppose any attempt to revive fascism and militarism." Similar language was included in post-summit joint statements with Myanmar and Bangladesh in June. A condemnation of militarism was also included in a statement released by China and Mongolia in June after a visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Paywall alert:

China finds audience for talk of Japan 'militarism' beyond Russia, North Korea

Veiled warnings appear in joint statements with Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar

asia.nikkei.com

Conclusion: it looks as if the chances of improving bilateral ties under PM Takaichi remain very slim.

 

[Kulern]

I like her decisiveness for sure. Aslong as it helps for the future of Japan, interms of trade, partnerships and way to make Japan stand tough for simpler, bad or good times. But China has a One Party system, its not really about Democracy index i care about (Since thats just rhetorics to begin with). But the lack of choices of who should lead the country? Is not a world i find ideal. If nobody can vote for a different outcome? Including free speech. Or offer any opposition the way CCP runs the entire country of China basically. That i find dystopian

 

[Lothor]

I like her decisiveness for sure. Aslong as it helps for the future of Japan, interms of trade, partnerships and way to make Japan stand tough for simpler, bad or good times. But China has a One Party system, its not really about Democracy index i care about (Since thats just rhetorics to begin with). But the lack of choices of who should lead the country? Is not a world i find ideal. If nobody can vote for a different outcome? Including free speech. Or offer any opposition the way CCP runs the entire country of China basically. That i find dystopian

But times are not simple, so we need a leader who understands nuance and complexity. Takaichi is a low-calibre leader driven by a desire for power and a simplistic vision of a pre-war totalitarian country where everyone 'knows their place'. She is the last thing Japan needs.