Japanese Media: Xi Jinping Criticizes Sanae Takaichi During Trump-Xi Summit, Trump Rebuts

Multiple diplomatic sources revealed on the 24th that during the summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump this month, Xi condemned Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, criticizing her efforts to strengthen Japan's defense capabilities as 'neo-militarism,' only to be rebutted by Trump. According to Kyodo News, sources stated that Trump countered Xi's criticism by praising Takaichi. Furthermore, after the summit concluded on the 15th, Trump called Takaichi from Air Force One to reaffirm the US-Japan alliance. After the call, Takaichi told reporters that Trump had provided a detailed explanation of his talks with Xi, though she did not disclose specific details. Last November, Takaichi stated in a parliamentary session that if a 'Taiwan contingency' involved the use of force, it could constitute a 'survival-threatening situation' allowing Japan to exercise the right of collective self-defense. Her remarks drew backlash from China, further straining bilateral relations. According to Kyodo, Trump and Xi met in Beijing from the 14th to the 15th of this month, marking their first face-to-face meeting since Takaichi's remarks. Prior to the summit, Takaichi visited Washington in March to strengthen US security commitments in the Indo-Pacific amid China's growing influence. Trump and Xi are expected to meet three more times this year, including during Xi's visit to Washington in September and on the sidelines of the APEC summit.