China and Japan’s tensions have deepened dramatically, following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s parliamentary remark that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a Japanese military response.

Although Tokyo insists the comment did not reflect a policy shift, Beijing has interpreted it as a fundamental challenge to the political foundations of the bilateral relationship.

China’s reaction has moved quickly from diplomatic displeasure to concrete economic signals.

Advisories urging Chinese citizens to cancel travel to Japan, halts on seafood imports, and warnings of broader trade restrictions have reminded Tokyo of Beijing’s proven willingness to deploy economic coercion.

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Denny Roy, Senior Fellow at the East-West Center, to examine how China-Japan tensions have escalated and what this means for regional stability.