Asia for China? Tokyo’s answer to Beijing’s coercive strategy

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi should defend Japan’s right to speak on Taiwan and other security issues at this month's APEC summit in Shenzhen, China, rather than trade it for a handshake with Xi Jinping. | REUTERS

Nov 3, 2026

As the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference approaches in Shenzhen, China, this month, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faces mounting pressure to choose between diplomatic optics and strategic principle.

A high-profile encounter with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Nov. 18-19 gathering may offer the appearance of improved relations, but it should not come at the expense of Japan’s right to speak candidly about Taiwan and cross-strait peace.

When Xi froze high-level communication with Takaichi following remarks last November, Beijing followed a familiar authoritarian playbook. Addressing the strategic realities facing Tokyo, Takaichi stated that a Chinese military assault on Taiwan would directly threaten Japan’s security, potentially creating an “existential” crisis that could require deploying Japan’s Self-Defense Forces to defend the country and protect its citizens.

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