- By Shivangi Sharma
- Tue, 09 Dec 2025 04:23 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Passenger ferry services between Japan and China have been suspended as diplomatic tensions escalated following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s controversial remarks on Taiwan, triggering protests, political pressure, and a sharp exchange of military accusations between Tokyo and Beijing.
The Jian Zhen Hao ferry, named after an ancient monk symbolising Sino-Japanese cultural exchange, has halted operations on its Shanghai–Osaka and Shanghai–Kobe routes since Saturday. Operator Japan-China International Ferry confirmed on Monday that the suspension came “at the request of the Chinese side”, citing concerns that the safety of travel between the two countries could not be guaranteed. The company said services would be stopped “for the time being”, with no timeline provided for resumption.
Scholars And Former Officials Demand Retraction
In Tokyo, domestic pressure mounted against Takaichi as over a dozen Japanese scholars, former government officials and media figures held a press conference demanding she retract her Taiwan-related comments. The event was organised by the Association for Inheriting and Propagating the Murayama Statement, a Japanese civil group.
Its secretary-general, Takakage Fujita, read a statement accusing the prime minister of deviating from the long-standing policy of successive Japanese governments. The group warned that her comments marked the first time a sitting Japanese prime minister had indicated the possibility of entering a wartime posture over a “Taiwan contingency”, calling it a dangerous revival of Japanese militarism.
Military Tensions Escalate Near Okinawa
Military friction has also intensified in the region. Japan rejected China’s claim that Japanese Self-Defence Forces jets triggered radar lock-on incidents during Chinese naval training near Okinawa.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said the Air Self-Defence Force jets maintained a “safe distance” and described China’s alleged radar use as “dangerous acts beyond what was necessary for the safety of flight.”
China responded by doubling down on its stance. Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said China’s military drills were in line with international law and accused Japan of “harassing” normal military exercises and engaging in “irresponsible hype and political manipulation.”
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Taiwan Remarks At Heart Of Crisis
The current standoff traces back to remarks made by Takaichi on November 7, when she told Japan’s parliament that a possible attack on Taiwan by the People’s Liberation Army could qualify as a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, potentially permitting the deployment of military forces. Beijing views the comments as interference in its internal affairs and a break from Japan’s long-standing strategic ambiguity over Taiwan.
China has responded with economic and diplomatic pressure, including urging citizens to avoid travel to Japan. On Friday, major Chinese airlines extended full-refund offers for flights to Japan until March 28 next year.
