Overall Highlights

• Tensions between China and Japan are escalating, impacting travel and diplomatic relations.
• Japan is considering new language requirements for permanent residents, which has drawn attention in China.
• China firmly opposes Japanese lawmakers’ visits to Taiwan, reflecting ongoing geopolitical tensions.
• Japan is moving forward with the restart of its largest nuclear power plant, a significant policy shift after the Fukushima disaster.
• China’s media highlights Japan’s perceived lack of respect for historical issues, further straining relations.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• Japan’s proposed fluency requirements for permanent residents are seen as a barrier to immigration.
• Beijing condemns Japanese lawmakers visiting Taiwan, viewing it as a provocative act against China’s sovereignty.
• China’s media emphasizes Japan’s historical grievances and accuses it of failing to acknowledge past atrocities.
• Travel disruptions between China and Japan are reported, with 46 flight routes canceled due to rising tensions.
• China’s PLA Daily criticizes Japan for showing ’no respect for history’ in its diplomatic dealings.

Japan Perspective (Japan Sources)

• Japan’s government is facing domestic challenges, including economic tests amid rising bond yields and inflation concerns.
• The approval rating for Takaichi’s government remains high, indicating strong domestic support despite external pressures.
• Japan is advancing its energy policy by restarting the world’s largest nuclear power plant, a controversial decision post-Fukushima.
• Japan’s partnerships in technology and energy, such as with India’s Tata Electronics, highlight a focus on innovation and economic resilience.
• Support for Takaichi remains firm as tensions with China escalate, suggesting a unified front in Japanese politics.

Sources

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

1. [en-US] Mind your language: Japan considers new fluency bar for permanent residents - South China Morning Post (12/23/2025)
2. [en-US] Beijing ‘firmly opposes’ Japanese lawmakers’ trips to Taiwan - South China Morning Post (12/22/2025)
3. [en-US] China-South Korea ties, Singapore’s ex-FM on Hong Kong: SCMP daily highlights - South China Morning Post (12/22/2025)
4. [en-US] China-Japan tension hits holiday travel as flights cancelled on 46 routes - South China Morning Post (12/22/2025)
5. [en-US] China’s PLA Daily accuses Japan of showing ‘no respect for history’ - South China Morning Post (12/22/2025)
6. [en-US] All flights canceled on 46 Chinese mainland-Japan routes for coming two weeks: platform - Global Times (12/22/2025)
7. [en-US] The Takaichi Fallout: Japan’s economy faces multiple tests amid policy crosscurrents - news.cgtn.com (12/22/2025)
8. [en-US] Japan moves to restart the world’s biggest nuclear plant 15 years after Fukushima - news.cgtn.com (12/22/2025)
9. [en-US] Urgent: Japan approves restart of world’s largest nuclear power plant years after nuclear disaster - 新华网 (12/22/2025)
10. [en-US] Japan’s Niigata OKs restart of world’s largest nuclear power plant years after nuclear disaster - Global Times (12/22/2025)
11. [en-US] Trump unveils plan for ‘Trump-class’ battleships to boost US sea power - Nikkei Asia (12/22/2025)
12. [en-US] Japan to process rare-earth mud from 2027, tapping deep-sea reserves - Nikkei Asia (12/22/2025)
13. [en-US] Japan’s Rohm and India’s Tata Electronics partner on power chip production - Nikkei Asia (12/22/2025)
14. [en-US] Uniqlo operator to raise starting salary in Japan to 370,000 yen - Japan Wire by KYODO NEWS (12/22/2025)
15. [en-US] Japan 10-year government bond yield hits 2.1%, highest since 1999 - Nikkei Asia (12/22/2025)
16. [en-US] Japan’s H3 rocket fails 30 minutes after liftoff - Nikkei Asia (12/22/2025)
17. [en-US] Support for Takaichi stays firm as China dispute festers - The Japan Times (12/22/2025)
18. [en-US] India’s Adani looks to nuclear for ‘aggressive’ AI data center push - Nikkei Asia (12/22/2025)
19. [en-US] ASEAN foreign ministers gather to discuss Thai-Cambodian conflict - Nikkei Asia (12/22/2025)
20. [en-US] Japan’s Takaichi government maintains 75% approval rating - Nikkei Asia (12/21/2025)