As China reportedly mulls a ban on Japanese seafood amid a standoff between the Asian neighbors, Taiwan's leader shows support for Tokyo, with his lunch.

Online discussion has linked the comment to "The Sword March", a Chinese war song from the 1930s that aroused morale against the Japanese invasion of the country in that period. Its lyrics began with the words, "swords raised over the devils' heads to hack them off".

The furious reaction may be a warning to other US allies such as South Korea and Australia not to change their Taiwan policy, analysts say.

China is the real regional "troublemaker", a senior Taiwanese security official said on Friday, personally giving out copies of a new civil defence handbook the government is sending to every household on the island as China tensions rise.

Tension between Japan and China has escalated over the new Japanese leader's suggestion Tokyo could intervene militarily if Beijing attacks Taiwan.

From Beijing vowing ‘further measures’ against Japan over Taiwan comments to relief for Nexperia, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Japan is mounting a broad diplomatic effort to ease tensions with China after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan sparked a sharp backlash from Beijing that raised fears of a breakdown in economic ties.

Japan has warned its citizens in China to step up safety precautions and avoid crowded places amid a deepening dispute between Asia's two largest economies over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments on Taiwan.