Is Japan trying to build bridges with China after Taiwan spat?

A delegation of Japanese politicians has travelled to Beijing this week in what observers say may be a bid to improve relations amid one of the worst rifts with China since the 1970s.Among those in Japan’s delegation is Gaku Hashimoto, a member of the House of Representatives and Takaichi’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), alongside lawmakers from the opposition Komeito and Centrist Reform Alliance parties.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Sanctions or missiles? How Gulf will view Trump’s new Iran approachlist 2 of 4New US sanctions signal Trump desperation on Iran, experts saylist 3 of 4Malaysia’s Anwar puts non-aligned stance in focus with remarks on Taiwanlist 4 of 4Trump threatens Iran’s partners: How do secondary sanctions work?end of listA diplomatic spat began in November last year when Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said if China were to attack Taiwan, it could “constitute a survival-threatening situation” for Japan that would justify the use of force.Her comments angered Beijing. The next day, Xue Jian, China’s consul general in Osaka, wrote on X: “We have no choice but cut off that dirty neck that has been lunged at us without hesitation”, alongsi...