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2026 September 16 - 29 [POLITICS]

JCP Koike: Chilling Japan-China relations is diplomatic failure by PM Takaichi

Commenting on the U.S.-China summit held on September 24, Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira noted that “at the very least, a dialogue is taking place,” adding, “Even when there are criticisms, continuing dialogue is what diplomacy is all about.”

Speaking at a news conference in the Diet building on September 28, Koike pointed out, “Prime Minister Takaichi, on the other hand, has created a situation where Japan cannot even engage in dialogue with China.”

Koike argued that Prime Minister Takaichi herself is responsible for bringing about the continually chilling Japan-China relations by stoking tensions, issuing threats, and refusing to retract her remark made in November 2025 that a “Taiwan contingency” could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan.

Koike sharply criticized Takaichi, stating, “I am compelled to say this, on your part, is a major failure of diplomacy.”