Japan tells China to show ‘respect’ in addressing PM

What happened: Japan said it told Beijing to show appropriate respect after Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun referred to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi by name only, with no title, at a news conference. Key numbers: Guo spoke at a news conference on Sept. 30. Takaichi raised the Taiwan intervention suggestion in 2025. Why it matters: Japanese foreign ministry spokesperson Toshihiro Kitamura said Tokyo conveyed its stance to China, as ties sour further. Japanese lawmakers have visited China to cool tensions, and Takaichi called Beijing an important neighbor.

Japan said it told Beijing to show appropriate respect after Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun referred to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi by name only, with no title, at a news conference.

Japanese foreign ministry spokesperson Toshihiro Kitamura said Tokyo conveyed its stance to China, as ties sour further. Japanese lawmakers have visited China to cool tensions, and Takaichi called Beijing an important neighbor.