Japan's draft of the 2026 Diplomatic Bluebook, to be announced next month, has downgraded its description of relations with China from 'most important' to 'important neighboring country,' Kyodo News and the Mainichi Shimbun reported on the 24th.

The Japanese government lowered the tone of its description of relations with China in the 2026 Diplomatic Bluebook compared to the 2025 edition, following a sharp deterioration after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks hinting at intervention in the event of a Taiwan contingency.

It also stated that Japan has various pending issues and challenges with China.

Following Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks regarding Taiwan, it pointed out that China's actions towards Japan have intensified with "unilateral criticism and coercive measures."

The description of measures taken by the Chinese government following the remarks has also been significantly expanded.

Specifically, it listed incidents such as Chinese aircraft carrier-based aircraft radar-locking Japanese Self-Defense Force fighter jets, and China's strengthening of export controls on rare earth elements targeting only Japan.

The Diplomatic Bluebook also criticized the remark made by Xue Jian, the Chinese Consul General in Osaka, on social media (SNS) that "there is no choice but to cut off the head," which was an extremely inappropriate response to Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks about a Taiwan contingency.

Meanwhile, the Diplomatic Bluebook also stated that "the Japanese government is open to dialogue with China and will not close its doors."

It emphasized the extreme importance of gaining the understanding of various countries regarding the Japanese government's position and the correct facts, as China continues to criticize Japan through the UN and other channels. It also included the importance of preparing countermeasures against China's information warfare.

According to the Mainichi Shimbun, the period covered by the 2026 Diplomatic Bluebook is from January to December of last year. However, regarding China's export controls and other matters, it included developments that occurred in January and February of this year.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi plans to officially announce the Diplomatic Bluebook after reporting it to the cabinet in the latter half of next month.

Chinese President Xi Jinping - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (PG) [Illustration by Kim Seon-young]