Part 9/16:

The deterioration of Japan-China relations has been a key catalyst. A recent example is Japan’s Prime Minister Sana Takahuchi’s suggestion that Japan’s self-defense forces might intervene in case of a crisis in Taiwan—prompting swift and stern responses from Beijing. China responded with military patrols near disputed waters, travel advisories against Japan, threats to restrict Japanese seafood imports, and economic pressures targeting Japanese companies operating in China.