Fri Nov 28 02:30:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article:

Summary:

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s statement about a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan triggering Japan’s right to collective self-defense has ignited a major diplomatic crisis with China. Beijing, after failing to secure a retraction, has taken the issue to the UN, claiming Japan’s stance threatens the post-war order. The crisis unfolds as Japan faces economic challenges and a declining population. China has responded with economic pressure, halting seafood imports and cultural exchanges. Japan’s economic ties to China are significant, particularly concerning trade and vital resources like rare earths, and disruption of access to the Taiwan strait. Concurrently, Japan is increasing its defense spending, and Taiwan is considering a significant boost to its own military budget.

News Article:

Sino-Japanese Relations Plunge to New Low Over Taiwan Stance, Crisis Escalates to UN

NEW DELHI (November 28, 2025) – A diplomatic firestorm has erupted between Japan and China following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s assertion that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger Japan’s right to collective self-defense. Beijing, deeming the statement a threat to the post-war international order, has escalated the dispute to the United Nations after failing to force a retraction from Tokyo.

The Prime Minister’s remarks have sent relations between the two Asian powerhouses into a tailspin, marked by increased Chinese military activity near Taiwan, economic coercion targeting Japanese seafood, and a complete freeze on cultural exchanges.

The timing of the crisis couldn’t be worse for Japan. The nation is grappling with slow economic growth, persistent inflation, and a long-term decline in population. A prolonged rift with China, its largest trading partner, could significantly exacerbate these challenges. China accounts for 20% of Japan’s exports and imports. Bloomberg notes that Japanese manufacturers rely heavily on Chinese critical materials. Reuters reports that China provides 60% of Japan’s rare earths.

China has already begun leveraging its economic power, restricting seafood imports from Japan, deterring tourism, and halting approvals for new Japanese businesses.

Analysts point out the crucial importance of the Taiwan Strait for Japan’s trade, with over $440 billion in goods passing through the waterway in 2022. Disruptions to this route would have severe consequences for the Japanese economy. Furthermore, Taiwan is a key source of critical technology, with Japan sourcing a majority of its integrated circuits and semiconductors from the island.

The crisis has also fueled a military buildup. Japan’s defense spending hit a 70-year high this year, reaching 1.8% of GDP. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te announced plans to propose $40 billion in additional defense spending. Japan’s forces scrambled over 700 times in response to Chinese and Russian aircraft violations in 2024 alone.

The situation remains highly volatile, with the international community watching closely to see if the two nations can find a path to de-escalation amidst rising tensions in the region.

Read More