Japan works to shield Takaichi from any Xi snub at China summit

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives at the Prime Minister's office in Tokyo on Nov. 4. | AFP-JIJI

Bloomberg

Nov 9, 2026

Japan is trying to ensure Xi Jinping doesn’t snub Sanae Takaichi when they meet at a major leaders’ summit in China this month — their first encounter since a furor over Taiwan derailed ties.

When Takaichi attends the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conclave in Shenzhen, Japanese officials expect the host leader to greet her with at least a customary handshake. Ties between Japan and China, however, have over the past year hit one of their lowest ebbs since the countries normalized relations in 1972 — throwing such a reception into doubt. Xi shook then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s hand the last time China hosted APEC back in 2014 during an earlier period of strained ties, but unlike today the groundwork for that detente had been laid months in advance.

Japanese officials have sought reassurances from China that Xi will give Takaichi the same treatment as other world leaders, according to people familiar with the matter. Tokyo will protest anything unusual planned for the conference on Nov. 18-19, added the people, who weren’t authorized to discuss private matters.

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