Monday, March 30, 2026-China has imposed sanctions on Japanese lawmaker Keiji Furuya, a close aide to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in a sharp escalation of diplomatic tensions between Beijing and Tokyo over the sensitive issue of Taiwan.
Beijing accused Furuya of “colluding with Taiwan independence forces” after he visited Taiwan and engaged with its leadership, actions China says violate the One‑China principle and interfere in its internal affairs.
Under the sanctions, China has banned Furuya from entering the mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau, and barred him from doing business or engaging with Chinese individuals and organisations.
Chinese officials say the measures are aimed at defending national sovereignty and sending a message that such visits will carry real consequences. Furuya, who heads a cross‑party Japan‑Taiwan lawmakers council and most recently met Taiwanese leaders in Taipei earlier this month, responded by saying he has no assets in China and that his actions reflect normal parliamentary exchange.
Tokyo has condemned Beijing’s decision as “absolutely unacceptable and extremely regrettable,” demanding that China retract the sanctions. The move comes amid already strained Japan–China relations over comments by Takaichi suggesting Japan could respond militarily if China used force against Taiwan, a position that Beijing views as provocative. The sanctions underscore how disputes over Taiwan continue to widen diplomatic rifts in East Asia.
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