The diplomatic mission in Tokyo recalled in a press release that China protested a comment made by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Parliament in early November regarding a possible emergency in Taiwan.

The prime minister suggested that a possible attack on such an island by mainland China could force Japan to respond militarily.

In response, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has urged its citizens since November 14 to refrain from visiting Japan, and the Embassy in Japan reiterated such a call on Thursday.

It also justified it by citing an increase, in recent months, of discriminatory incidents against Chinese citizens on Japanese soil.

A report from the Chinese consulate reflects a marked rise in cases, such as verbal abuse and physical assaults, this month.

The Japanese government informed on Wednesday that it will deploy missile defense systems on a chain of islands near Taiwan.

The Chinese Defense Ministry underscored that Takaichi’s statements on Taiwan constituted serious interference in the country’s internal affairs.

abo/iff/npg/msm