China issues new Japan travel warning as row over Takaichi’s Taiwan comments rumbles on

A statement issued on Monday said: “With the Lunar New Year approaching, the foreign ministry and the Chinese embassy in Tokyo urge citizens to avoid travelling to Japan and advise those already there to stay alert to crime and disaster warnings.“In recent weeks, public security in Japan has deteriorated, with crimes targeting Chinese nationals on the rise and a series of earthquakes causing injuries.”This year’s Lunar New Year holiday in mainland China will run for nine days, starting on February 15.The warning marks a continuation of the diplomatic stalemate since Takaichi said in November that an attack on Taiwan would be a security threat that might prompt Japanese military intervention.Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control.