As China takes a more confrontational stance towards Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration, traditionalSino-Japanese diplomatic relations have stalled as Tokyo pursues warmer relations with Taiwan.
Japanese Lawmakers Visit Taiwan Consecutively
As part of this change, members of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, or LDP, have been visiting Taiwan frequently, often using meetings at bipartisan groups such as the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association and the LDP Youth Division as substitutes for formal diplomatic channels.
The party's acting Secretary-General Koichi Hagiuda arrived in Taiwan on December 21 and held an hour-long meeting with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te the following day, according to reports from Nikkei.
He was followed almost immediately by former Japanese Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki and the former Prime Minister's advisor Akihisa Nagashima, who arrived on December 22.
The report notes that the Takaichi administration is characterized by many pro-Taiwan members, with some 30 Japanese lawmakers expected to visit before spring 2026, with Takaichi herself visiting Taiwan in April 2025.
"Taiwan is an important partner and friend that shares universal values with Japan and has close economic ties and interpersonal exchanges," Hagiuda stated.
Sino-Japanese Relations in Shadow
The Nikkei report also suggests Japan's diplomatic relations with mainland China remain unstable.
While the leaders of the two countries confirmed they wanted to advance "strategic reciprocal relations" at a meeting in October, relations have since frozen over comments by Takaichi that an attack on Taiwan could threaten Japan's survival.
Beijing has fiercely protested the remarks, urging its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan and increasing economic pressure on Tokyo.
Takaichi emphasized that her position on the matter remains unchanged at a press conference on December 17, adding that she was open to talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
A meeting between representatives for the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians Union, a key communication channel between the two countries, and Chinese Ambassador Wu Jianghao did not produce any results, with a visit to China in the remainder of 2025 unlikely. （Related： Opinion | Is Taiwan Ready for a New Carbon Trading Order? ｜ Latest ）
"Dialogue between Japan and China may not be feasible anytime soon," an upper-level official in the union remarked.
