Diplomatic row between Japan and China continues, affects other factors of their relationship

In late November, China and Japan have gotten into a diplomatic spat based on a statement Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made in the Japanese legislature.

The man crux of this issue begins with the idea of collective self-defence. After WW2, Japan took on a pacifist stance, and it was enshrined in their constitution. Japan, around a decade ago under the late prime minister Shinzo Abe, altered the constitution to allow Japanese self-defense to apply not only to Japan itself, but also its allies as well if Japanese national security was threatened enough.

This is the context needed for the current situation. Takaichi was asked in the country's version of the legislative branch how Japanese collective self-defense would be used. Her response was that it could be used in situations such as China navally bloackading Taiwan. China was enraged by this, and it has begun to affect all parts of both countries' relationship.

China cut seafood imports from Japan, and also urged it's citizens to not travel to the country. The revesrse has also been true. Japanese musical artists have had their performances cancelled in China, with an example being Maki Otsuki, who had her One Piece performance shut down halfway through. Moreover, Chinese games such as Honkai Star Rail have delayed updates due to Japanese inspiration in them.

China has demanded Japan apologize for the statement made, but Takaichi so far, has refused to walk back her comment.