China has urged its citizens to avoid travelling to Japan, as a diplomatic dispute deepens over threats by new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on the possibility of deploying forces in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

The tension erupted after Takaichi told the Japanese parliament on November 7 that use of force against the self-ruled island claimed by China could warrant a military response from Tokyo.

Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its territory, denounced the remarks as a provocation. On Friday, Beijing said it had summoned Japan’s ambassador.

Tokyo in turn summoned China’s ambassador after an “inappropriate” and now-removed social media post by a Chinese consul general in Osaka appeared to threaten Takaichi.

Tokyo has since said its position on Taiwan, just 110km

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