China’s Communist Party newspaper has accused Japan of attempting to revive wartime militarism after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo.

The People’s Daily said on Friday that Takaichi’s comments were not an “isolated political rant” but part of a broader push by Japan’s right wing to expand military power beyond the limits of its post-World War Two constitution. The remarks, made in parliament last week, have already sparked a diplomatic row with Beijing.

China’s consul-general in Osaka escalated tensions by reposting an article on X about Takaichi’s remarks and writing that “the dirty neck that sticks itself in must be cut off,” prompting a protest from Japan’s embassy in Beijing to Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong.

State media outlets have since published a series of strongly worded commentaries attacking Takaichi and invoking historical grievances over Japan’s wartime occupation of parts of China. The People’s Daily said Japan was “racing headlong down the path of military buildup,” citing visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, denial of the Nanjing Massacre and rhetoric about a “China threat.”

The commentary also drew parallels with the 1931 Mukden Incident, which Japan used as a pretext to invade Manchuria, asking whether Tokyo intended to “repeat the mistakes of history.”

Beijing claims Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force. Taiwan’s government rejects that claim, saying only its people can decide the island’s future. The island sits just more than 110 km (68 miles) from Japanese territory, and sea lanes around Taiwan are critical to Japan’s trade. Japan also hosts the largest overseas contingent of U.S. military personnel.

NTV reported on Friday that the Chinese embassy in Tokyo had advised its staff to avoid going out due to concerns about rising anti-China sentiment.

Japan’s chief cabinet secretary Minoru Kihara reiterated that Tokyo seeks a peaceful resolution to cross-strait issues through dialogue.

China has simultaneously intensified its rhetoric against Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party. The State Council’s Taiwan Affairs Office criticised DPP lawmaker Puma Shen following his visit to Berlin, while Chinese police issued a wanted notice — offering a $35,000 reward — for two Taiwanese social media influencers accused of “separatism.” The influencers mocked the notice online, with rapper Mannam PYC filming himself attempting to “turn himself in” to Taiwan police.

Taiwan’s authorities noted that China’s legal system has no jurisdiction on the island.

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