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Japan Demands Respect From China After Spokesman Drops Takaichi Title
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Firstpost•08-10-2026, 08:35
Japan Demands Respect From China After Spokesman Drops Takaichi Title
- •Japan has urged Beijing to show appropriate respect following an incident where a Chinese spokesman referred to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi without her official title.
- •Japanese foreign ministry spokesman Toshihiro Kitamura confirmed that Tokyo formally conveyed its concerns to Beijing regarding the protocol breach.
- •Diplomatic tensions between Japan and China have recently escalated after Takaichi suggested potential intervention in a conflict involving Taiwan.
- •Despite ongoing frictions, Japanese lawmakers have visited China recently to ease tensions, and Takaichi has publicly described Beijing as an important neighbour.
Key Questions Answered
Japan urged Beijing to show appropriate respect after a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman dropped Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's title and referred to her only by name during a news conference.
The Chinese spokesman referred to the Japanese leader without her title during a news conference held on September 30.
Tensions worsened after Takaichi suggested in 2025 that Tokyo might intervene in an attack on Taiwan, which is claimed as territory by Beijing.
