Indicator of deteriorating relations.. Japan lowers its description of China to a level "Important neighbor"

This year’s edition used a different expression, referring to China as "Gaara is important"

China-Japan Relations

This annual report, which details the activities and policies of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accuses Beijing of"Escalating its unilateral criticism and intimidation measures against Japan"

Relations between China and Japan, respectively the world’s second and fourth largest economies, deteriorated in the fall of last year after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hinted that her country might intervene militarily in the event of an attack on Taiwan. Important for income, and imposed customs restrictions on some Japanese companies.

Apart from China, the Japanese Foreign Ministry painted a bleak picture of the international situation.

It added in its report: "It can be said that the relatively calm era previously known as the “post-Cold War period” has already ended".