Recent comments by Japan’s leader about the possibility of military action around Taiwan show Japan is returning to the path of militarism, Chinese state media said in a commentary, adding that any “militarist fantasies” would blow up in Tokyo’s face.

The diplomatic row over comments on Taiwan has evolved from a war of words to Beijing advising its citizens against travelling and studying abroad in Japan.

Tokyo has launched urgent diplomatic outreach as Beijing ramps up retaliation, media attacks, and travel warnings over Takaichi’s Taiwan comments

Both countries have summoned each other’s ambassadors after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could draw a military response from Tokyo.

Japan has now warned its citizens in China to be careful of their surroundings and to avoid big crowds amid a diplomatic row over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan.

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.

China’s consul general Xue Jian in Osaka was the first to respond, reposting a news article about Ms Takaichi’s comments on social media with the caption, “cut off a dirty neck without a moment of hesitation”, which many understood as a threat to the Japanese prime minister.

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