Should unification be sped up? UK media reports that any potential landing operation across the strait could surpass the scale of the World War II Normandy invasion.

Recently, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that “a Taiwan contingency is a Japan contingency,” suggesting that Japan might take military action should tensions escalate in the Taiwan Strait. The remarks have been interpreted by some observers as one of Japan’s strongest security-related statements toward China in the post–World War II era.

China responded with a series of measures involving economic actions and enhanced security preparations.

In the economic sphere, following China’s travel advisory regarding Japan, major airlines saw a surge in ticket cancellations. Japanese media reported that cancellations exceeded 100,000 per day, reaching over 500,000 in total, significantly reducing Chinese tourist arrivals. Estimates suggest that if the trend continues for a year, Japan’s tourism and related sectors could suffer losses of around 1.79 trillion yen.

China also halted imports of Japanese seafood, impacting Japan’s fishing industry. Reports indicate that China may also consider adjustments to rare-earth exports to Japan. Rare earth elements are essential for Japan’s semiconductor, automotive, and precision manufacturing industries, and Japan relies heavily on imports. Japanese media noted that government officials are concerned about the potential economic impact.

On the security side, British media reports, citing satellite images and maritime data, indicate that China is increasing preparations for amphibious operations and involving civilian vessels in related exercises. It is suggested that if a large-scale landing operation were ever conducted, its logistical scale might surpass the Allied Normandy landings of World War II. China possesses one of the world’s largest civilian shipping fleets, some of which can be adapted for transport purposes.

Since the summer, civilian roll-on/roll-off vessels have been seen participating in training activities in the East China Sea and South China Sea, including simulated armored vehicle transport. Analysts note that such vessels significantly enhance logistical capacity.

Overall, China’s actions span economic, diplomatic, and security domains, indicating increased tensions in China–Japan relations. China reiterates that the one-China principle remains the political foundation of bilateral ties. Observers continue to monitor whether recent developments may affect broader regional stability.