Japan said on Monday it had complained to China about "extremely inappropriate" remarks made by one of its diplomats towards Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, which the United States characterized as threatening.

Takaichi has called China an "important neighbor" and faces the challenge of balancing ties with both Beijing and Washington, Japan’s top trade partners, amid tensions over Taiwan and a territorial dispute over an island group in the East China Sea.

Beijing slams Japanese premier’s remarks as ‘wrongful, dangerous’ move to separate Taiwan from China - Anadolu Ajansı

Japan's reference to a “survival-threatening situation” and its attempt to associate itself with forces seeking to split China raises the question of whether Japan is attempting to repeat its past mistakes,

A group of Japanese Self-Defense Forces personnel began a nine-day exchange visit to China on Wednesday, following an agreement last week between the two countries' leaders to strengthen crisis management and communication between their defense authorities.

Visit comes after Japanese Premier Sanae Takaichi, Chinese President Xi Jinping sought stable ties during their 1st summit in South Korea - Anadolu Ajansı