First, it was President Trump, who gushed on an October trip to Tokyo that she would prove to be one of Japan’s greatest leaders. Next, it was Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who was infuriated by her remark that Japan would likely get sucked into a war if China made a move on Taiwan.

China is trying to impose economic costs on Japan for wading into the issue of Taiwan. But experts say the escalating dispute could ultimately hurt China too.

The remarks come amid the two countries’ worst diplomatic crisis in years, after the Japanese prime minister said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo.

Tensions spiraled on Nov. 8, when Takaichi said that a Chinese attempt to seize Taiwan by force would constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan.

China has expressed a negative view about holding a trilateral summit with Japan and South Korea, amid tensions between Tokyo and Beijing after Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's comments on Taiwan.

City leader says exchanges with Japan must benefit Hongkongers, but he doubts their ‘effectiveness’ in light of ongoing diplomatic row with Beijing.

Japan plans to deploy medium-range surface-to-air missiles on Yonaguni – making it a frontline of defence in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan – as part of its broader military build-up across the southern island chain.

A 2022 social media post by Ningning, the Chinese member of K-pop group Aespa, has become an unexpected cultural flashpoint amid rising diplomatic tensions between China and Japan.

China’s deepening dispute with Japan has now reached the United Nations, with Beijing accusing Tokyo of threatening what it calls “an armed intervention”. Analysts say this is the strongest language yet from Chinese officials since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent remarks about Taiwan.