Xi Urges Japan to Preserve Political Foundation of Bilateral Ties

What changed

Chinese President Xi Jinping offered condolences after former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda died last week at 90, then urged Japan’s current leaders to “safeguard the political foundation” of bilateral ties. Xi praised Fukuda’s contribution to China-Japan relations and called for adherence to four political documents governing the relationship.

Why it matters

The message is a rare direct reference by Xi to China-Japan ties since relations deteriorated late last year. The rupture followed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s November 2025 suggestion that Japan could deploy its military if a Chinese move against Taiwan also threatened Japanese territory.

Beijing responded by advising Chinese citizens against travel to Japan and restricting exports of some goods with military applications, including rare earths. Xi’s appeal therefore reads as a political signal: China is pointing back to the framework that once kept relations workable, while leaving the practical dispute unresolved.

The next test is whether Japan’s leadership responds to that appeal. The message itself does not show any change to China’s travel advice or export restrictions, nor does it establish a Japanese policy shift.