Diplomatic freeze between China and Japan

Wang Yi skipped China-Japan-Korea foreign ministers meeting on July 24, attending SCO instead. Chinese scholars state Xi will not meet Takaichi at APEC unless Japan adjusts Taiwan and constitutional revision positions. China's Foreign Ministry denies any Wang Yi-Motegi contact at ASEAN. Japan's foreign minister snubbed at ASEAN by China and Russia. Takaichi cabinet approval drops to 41.3%, disapproval exceeds support; Ishiba returns to challenge hawkish narrative. Diplomatic freeze deepens. A new analysis argues the US-Japan alliance is fraying from within, with Japan pursuing independent moves that could make it a more unpredictable actor.