Japanese media reported that a senior diplomat will travel to China on Monday (Nov 17) as Tokyo seeks to ease rising tensions over Taiwan that are straining relations between the two countries. The dispute began after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told lawmakers that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could threaten Japan’s survival and might require a military response — a stance Japanese officials usually avoid stating publicly to prevent provoking Beijing.

Masaaki Kanai, head of the foreign ministry’s Asia and Oceania bureau, is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart, Liu Jinsong. Reports say Kanai will clarify that Takaichi’s remarks do not reflect a change in Japan’s security policy and will urge China to avoid actions that could further damage bilateral ties. Japan’s foreign ministry said it could not yet confirm Kanai’s trip.

On Friday, Beijing warned Japan it would suffer a “crushing” defeat if it used force over Taiwan, summoned Japan’s ambassador in protest, and advised Chinese citizens not to travel to Japan — raising concerns about a potential hit to Japan’s tourism sector. In New Taipei, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said China was mounting a “multifaceted attack” on Japan, harming regional peace. He urged the international community to stay alert and called on Beijing to act responsibly and return to a rules-based order instead of destabilizing the region. Lai rejects China’s sovereignty claims.

Chinese state-affiliated media continued to criticize Takaichi, with the People’s Daily calling her comments reckless and provocative. Economist Takahide Kiuchi of Nomura Research Institute warned that a drop in Chinese tourists like the 25% decline during a 2012 dispute could cause significant economic damage, reducing more than half of Japan’s annual growth.