# Japanese Defense Policy

Six Months of Silence: How Sanae Takaichi’s Hawkish Turn Has Frozen Tokyo-Beijing Ties

Six months after PM Sanae Takaichi’s provocative remarks on Taiwan, Japan-China relations remain at a historic low characterized by economic retaliation and a breakdown in high-level dialogue. The situation is further strained by Japan's shifts in nuclear and arms export policies, making a diplomatic breakthrough at upcoming summits unlikely.