Japan lodges representation with China over untitled mention of PM Takaichi
Version 2: New coverage from Nikkei and Jiji Press was added, and Jiji Press reported that the question at the Chinese briefing concerned Defence Minister Koizumi's view that the option of possessing nuclear weapons should not be excluded from discussion.
In short
Japan's Foreign Ministry said on Oct. 7 that it lodged a representation with China after a Chinese Foreign Ministry official referred to Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae by name without her title at a press conference in late September. Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Kitamura Toshihiro said that showing a national leader proper respect is a matter of international courtesy regardless of differences in position. The ministry did not disclose what the representation said, citing diplomatic exchanges.
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Japan's Foreign Ministry said on Oct. 7 that it had lodged a representation with China after a Chinese Foreign Ministry official referred to Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae without her title, according to Livedoor News, TBS NEWS DIG, Sankei Shimbun, Nikkei, Mainichi Shimbun and Jiji Press. Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Kitamura Toshihiro told a briefing that “even if positions differ, showing a national leader proper respect is a matter of international courtesy.” [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
The reference to “高市早苗” without a title was made by Guo Jiakun during a press conference. Livedoor News, TBS NEWS DIG, Sankei Shimbun, Nikkei and Jiji Press date the conference to Sept. 30; Mainichi Shimbun says only that it took place in late September. Livedoor News reported that the question concerned Defence Minister Koizumi's remarks about nuclear weapons and nuclear submarines, while Jiji Press said the question was about Koizumi's view that the option of possessing nuclear weapons should not be excluded from discussion. Mainichi Shimbun described the remarks as relating to Japan's defence build-up. Sankei Shimbun, citing Hong Kong's Sing Tao Daily, said Guo dropped the title while criticising the Takaichi administration. [ 1 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
Sankei Shimbun and Nikkei reported that the Foreign Ministry would not disclose the content of the representation, citing diplomatic exchanges. Mainichi Shimbun quoted a Japanese government official as saying, “In a country like China, irregular remarks are unlikely to be made unintentionally.” Mainichi Shimbun also noted that Japan-China relations have been strained since Prime Minister Takaichi's answer on a Taiwan contingency. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
The outlets differ on Guo's exact title: Livedoor News and TBS NEWS DIG call him a spokesperson, while Sankei Shimbun, Nikkei, Mainichi Shimbun and Jiji Press describe him as deputy director-general of the information department. No reaction from the Chinese side, and no further measure by Japan, appears in the documents. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Why it matters
The representation adds a formal diplomatic complaint to a relationship that Mainichi Shimbun says has been strained since Prime Minister Takaichi's answer on a Taiwan contingency. The documents give no indication of a Chinese response or of any further Japanese measure, so the effect beyond the protest itself is not yet clear.
Key facts
- Japan's Foreign Ministry said it lodged a representation with China over a Chinese Foreign Ministry official referring to Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae without her title. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Kitamura Toshihiro said showing a national leader proper respect is a matter of international courtesy even where positions differ. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- The official used the name “高市早苗” without the title at a press conference; Livedoor News, TBS NEWS DIG, Sankei Shimbun, Nikkei and Jiji Press date the conference to Sept. 30, while Mainichi Shimbun says late September. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Livedoor News reported that the question at the Sept. 30 press conference concerned Defence Minister Koizumi's remarks about nuclear weapons and nuclear submarines. [ 1 ]
- Sankei Shimbun, citing Hong Kong's Sing Tao Daily, said the official dropped the title while criticising the Takaichi administration. [ 3 ]
- Sankei Shimbun and Nikkei reported that the Foreign Ministry declined to disclose the content of the representation, citing diplomatic exchanges. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Mainichi Shimbun quoted a Japanese government official as saying that in a country like China, irregular remarks are unlikely to be made unintentionally. [ 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Japan's Foreign Ministry lodged a representation with China over the untitled reference to Prime Minister Takaichi. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Kitamura Toshihiro said respecting a national leader is a matter of international courtesy regardless of differences in position. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- The reference to “高市早苗” without a title came at a press conference in late September. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Still unclear
- The specific content of Japan's representation to China Sankei Shimbun and Nikkei report that the Foreign Ministry withheld it, citing “diplomatic exchanges.”
- Whether the untitled reference was intentional Mainichi Shimbun quotes a Japanese government official saying that in a country like China irregular remarks are unlikely to be made unintentionally, but the documents give no confirmation.
- The exact title of the Chinese official Livedoor News and TBS NEWS DIG call him a spokesperson (報道官), while Sankei Shimbun, Nikkei, Mainichi Shimbun and Jiji Press call him deputy director-general of the information department.
- The exact date of the Chinese press conference Livedoor News, TBS NEWS DIG, Sankei Shimbun, Nikkei and Jiji Press say Sept. 30, while Mainichi Shimbun says only late September.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- At a press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry official Guo Jiakun refers to Prime Minister Takaichi as “高市早苗” without her title; Livedoor News, TBS NEWS DIG, Sankei Shimbun, Nikkei and Jiji Press date the conference to Sept. 30, Mainichi Shimbun to late September. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Livedoor News and TBS NEWS DIG report that Japan's Foreign Ministry said it lodged a representation with China over the untitled reference. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Sankei Shimbun reports Press Secretary Kitamura's remarks and that the ministry did not disclose the content of the representation. [ 3 ]
- Nikkei reports the government's representation and Kitamura's remarks. [ 4 ]
- Mainichi Shimbun reports the ministry's criticism and notes the context of strained Japan-China relations. [ 5 ]
- Jiji Press reports the representation and that the question concerned Defence Minister Koizumi's remarks on nuclear weapons. [ 6 ]