China and Japan are locked in a diplomatic clash over the United Nations Charter’s ‘enemy state’ clause, with Beijing warning Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi against possible military intervention in the Taiwan dispute. Japan has criticized China’s invocation of the clause, arguing it is outdated and irrelevant to contemporary international relations. The dispute has intensified following Takaichi’s remarks in support of Taiwan’s self-governing administration, which China has interpreted as a potential signal of Japanese militarism. Japan’s Foreign Ministry rejected the Chinese argument, emphasizing that the clause is no longer reflective of UN practices.
China’s Foreign Ministry cited a provision from the UN Charter that allows regional enforcement measures against ‘enemy states’ without requiring Security Council approval, in response to Takaichi’s statements. China has accused Japan of attempting to reframe the geopolitical context by leveraging historical grievances to justify its stance on Taiwan. The Chinese Embassy in Tokyo published an excerpt from the UN Charter, highlighting the clause about ‘enemy states’ and its potential application in the event of a ‘renewal of aggressive policy.’
Japan, however, has rebuked the Chinese position, arguing that the clause is obsolete and does not align with current international norms. While the UN General Assembly recommended removing the ‘enemy state’ references in 1995, the formal amendment process was never completed. The Japanese government maintains that the clause is not a valid basis for contemporary geopolitical disputes, especially with regard to Taiwan. Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited a military base on Yonaguni over the weekend, an island about 110 kilometers east of Taiwan, and reiterated plans to deploy medium-range surface-to-air missiles there as part of a broader military buildup on Japan’s southern island chain.
The issue has broader implications beyond the bilateral relationship, as Russia also holds unresolved disputes with Japan over the four southernmost Kuril Islands, known in Japan as the ‘northern territories.’ These islands were annexed by the USSR after World War II and remain a focal point for Japanese nationalists. Russia’s stance adds to the regional complexity, as both nations continue to navigate historical grievances and contemporary security concerns amid rising tensions across the Asia-Pacific.