China summoned the Japanese ambassador in Beijing following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about Taiwan.

China and Japan engaged in a verbal escalation this week after Takaichi suggested that Japan could respond with its own self-defense forces if China attacks Taiwan.

The foreign ministries of both countries lodged strong protests. A Chinese diplomat also made a comment that some interpreted as a threat to behead Takaichi.

The dispute highlights the historical animosity between China and Japan, as well as the strategic ambiguity surrounding the sovereignty of Taiwan, which is a self-governing territory.

Here's what we know:

What happened?

The current tensions originated in a parliamentary session in Japan last Friday, when an opposition lawmaker asked Takaichi what circumstances regarding Taiwan would constitute a survival-threatening situation for Japan.

“If there are warships and force is used, from any point of view it could constitute a survival-threatening situation,” Takaichi replied.

A “survival-threatening situation” is a legal term in Japan's 2015 national security law, referring to when an armed attack against its allies poses an existential threat to the country. In such a situation, Japan's Self-Defense Forces can be activated to respond to the threat.

Takaichi's remarks provoked immediate outrage from Beijing, and the Chinese Foreign Ministry called them "outrageous."

"Dirty Head"

On Saturday, Xue Jian, China's consul general in Osaka, Japan, shared a newspaper article about Takaichi's parliamentary remarks in X.

But he also added his own comment: "The dirty head of whoever interferes should be cut off." While Xue's attempt "may not be clear," they were "highly inappropriate," Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters on Monday. Tokyo lodged a protest with China over Xue's remarks,while Beijing lodged a similar protest with Japan over Takaichi's. Xue's post was later deleted, but the controversy over the exchange of accusations persists. On Tuesday, Takaichi refused to retract his statements, which he defended as "consistent with the government's traditional position." However, she noted that she would be cautious in commenting on specific situations going forward.

“Act of Aggression”

On Thursday, China's Foreign Ministry posted a message in Japanese and English on its Twitter account, calling on Japan to “stop playing with fire” and adding that it would be an “act of aggression” if Japan “dared to interfere in the cross-strait situation.”

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong also summoned the Japanese ambassador to China that same day to express his displeasure.

Sun called Takaichi's statements “extremely misguided and dangerous” and demanded that Japan retract them, according to the state-run Minoru Kihara, speaking on Friday.

“It is the consistent position of the Japanese government that we look forward to for a peaceful resolution of Taiwan-related issues through dialogue,” he said during the daily press briefing.

Kihara added that Japan “strongly urged China to take appropriate measures” in response to Xue's comment on social media.

A Long History of Animosity

There is a long-standing animosity between the two countries, dating back to a series of armed conflicts in the 19th century and Japan's brutal military campaign in China during World War II.

A statement from China's Foreign Ministry issued on Thursday alluded to this, noting: “If Japan does not learn from history and dares to take reckless risks, even resorting to military intervention in the Taiwan Strait situation, it will only suffer a crushing defeat against the ironclad People's Liberation Army and pay a heavy price.”

Grievances Historical issues sensitive points remain in bilateral relations.

However, the recent rise to power of Takaichi, a protege of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, suggests that further tensions could arise. The conservative leader seeks to strengthen ties with the United States and has pledged to increase Japan's defense spending, which has raised some alarm in Beijing. Takaichi is known for his hawkish stance toward China and for being a longtime supporter of Taiwan. She has previously stated that a blockade of the island could threaten Japan,and that his country could mobilize troops to prevent a Chinese invasion. For its part, China is particularly sensitive regarding Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing claims as part of its territory. China does not rule out the use of force to seize Taiwan, a stance that worries Taipei and its allies in the region. Earlier this month, Beijing accused Takaichi of violating the One China principle after she published photos of their meeting. with a senior Taiwanese official on the sidelines of the APEC summit in South Korea.

Why all the fuss?

The Japanese prime minister's recent comments mark a shift from Japan's traditionally ambiguous stance on Taiwan's status.

This aligns with the US policy of "strategic ambiguity"—being vague about what it would do to defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion.

For decades, this ambiguity has kept China in suspense—a form of deterrence—while allowing economic ties to flourish.

The official position of the Japanese government is that it hopes the Taiwan issue will be resolved peacefully through dialogue, and Japanese officials generally avoid mentioning Taiwan in public security discussions.

On the occasions when they have, they have drawn sharp criticism from Beijing.

In In 2021, when then-Deputy Premier Taro Aso stated that Japan would have to defend Taiwan alongside the United States in the event of an invasion, Beijing condemned his remarks and demanded that Japan “correct its mistakes.” In the latest clash, China's Foreign Ministry declared that Takaichi's words constituted “serious interference in China's internal affairs.” “Taiwan is Taiwan, Chinese territory,” minister spokesperson Lin Jian told a press conference on Monday, adding that China “will not tolerate any foreign interference” in this matter. “What message does the Japanese leader intend to send to Taiwanese 'separatist independence forces'?” he added.“Is Japan trying to challenge China's fundamental interests and prevent its reunification?”