Japan warns its citizens in China amid tensions over Taiwan

Japan invited its citizens located in Chinahas urged people to be careful about their surroundings and avoid large crowds amid a row that erupted between Beijing and Tokyo over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments about Taiwan.

She said The Japanese Embassyin Beijing in a statement on its website dated Monday "Pay attention to your surroundings and avoid as much as possible plazas where large crowds gather or places likely to be used by many Japanese people."

Japanese government spokesman Minoru Kihara said on Tuesday that this advice had been issued "Based on a comprehensive assessment of the political situation, including the security situation in the country or region concerned, as well as social conditions"

The diplomatic dispute between China and Japan flared up due to Takaichi’s statements before Parliament that Tokyo might respond militarily to any use of force against the island of Taiwan, which enjoys self-rule but which China considers an integral part of its territory.