Overall Highlights

• Japan’s increasing defense spending raises concerns in China, reflecting regional tensions.
• Chinese tourist arrivals in Japan are declining due to ongoing political tensions between the two nations.
• China criticizes Japan’s militaristic rhetoric and calls for accountability regarding historical issues.
• Japan’s government expresses a desire for constructive and stable ties with China despite existing tensions.
• Both nations are navigating complex diplomatic relations influenced by historical grievances and current geopolitical dynamics.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• Japan’s rising defense budget is viewed as a threat to regional stability and security.
• Chinese tourism to Japan is decreasing, attributed to heightened tensions and negative sentiment.
• China emphasizes the importance of addressing historical grievances and criticizes Japan’s perceived militarism.
• Chinese officials assert that Japan’s right-wing narratives are misleading and harmful to bilateral relations.

Japan Perspective (Japan Sources)

• Japan’s Prime Minister Takaichi advocates for constructive and stable relations with China despite challenges.
• Japanese media highlights the importance of addressing security concerns in light of China’s military activities.
• Japan is focusing on domestic economic growth while managing international relations, particularly with China.
• Japanese outlets report on China’s competitive strategies in various sectors, including automotive and technology.

Sources

This summary is based on 20 articles from the following sources:

1. [en-US] Japan’s rising defense spend stirs concern - China Daily - Global Edition (12/18/2025)
2. [en-US] Chinese tourist arrivals to Japan lose momentum amid tensions: official data - South China Morning Post (12/17/2025)
3. [en-US] Testimony of history: Japanese ‘war orphans’ echoes of gratitude to the Chinese people - Global Times (12/17/2025)
4. [en-US] Finnish PM apologises for MPs’ ‘racist’ gestures in Miss Finland scandal - South China Morning Post (12/17/2025)
5. [en-US] Finnish embassies in China, Japan, S.Korea issue Finnish PM’s apology over racism scandal - Global Times (12/17/2025)
6. [en-US] Japanese right-wing forces are habitual perpetrators of fabricated narratives: spokesperson - 新华网 (12/17/2025)
7. [en-US] Japan halts H3 rocket launch due to system anomaly - 新华网 (12/17/2025)
8. [en-US] S Korea urges Japan to fulfill commitments related to war-linked mine - news.cgtn.com (12/17/2025)
9. [en-US] China blasts Japan’s evasive sophistry at UN, urges retraction of Takaichi’s erroneous remarks amid militarism resurgence warnings - Global Times (12/16/2025)
10. [en-US] Why South Korea is becoming China’s new bargain travel hotspot amid Japan spat - South China Morning Post (12/16/2025)
11. [en-US] Temasek’s biotech VC arm pushes AI for medical breakthrough - Nikkei Asia (12/18/2025)
12. [en-US] Nikkei Asia - Business, Politics, Economy and Tech News & Analysis - Nikkei Asia (12/17/2025)
13. [en-US] China carmaker GAC reworks dealer strategy to fend off newcomers - Nikkei Asia (12/17/2025)
14. [en-US] Roomba hit by four-year innovation gap amid China rivalry: CEO - Nikkei Asia (12/17/2025)
15. [en-US] US Senate passes defense bill targeting China in biotech, investment - Nikkei Asia (12/17/2025)
16. [en-US] China provinces try to set mood for marriage with time off, theme parks - Nikkei Asia (12/17/2025)
17. [en-US] Hitachi to employ AI humanoid robots as Japan seeks homegrown tech - Nikkei Asia (12/17/2025)
18. [en-US] Japan’s SMFG to reach $12.8bn profit goal driven by home market, CEO says - Nikkei Asia (12/17/2025)
19. [en-US] Energy projects in focus for Japan’s $550bn US investment as talks begin - Nikkei Asia (12/17/2025)
20. [en-US] Japan to seek constructive, stable ties with China: PM Takaichi - Japan Wire by KYODO NEWS (12/17/2025)