The Japanese government is set to downgrade its characterization of its relations with China in its forthcoming diplomatic blue book?¡ª from ¡°one of the most important neighboring countries¡± to an ¡°important neighbor.¡±
The Foreign Ministry¡¯s shift on the language of this annual publication drew protest from Beijing, and has raised questions about what this means for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi¡¯s China policy.
The timing of the revelation comes a week after Tokyo refuted a U.S. intelligence assessment suggesting that there has been a ¡°significant shift¡± in Japanese policy toward?China.
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