Her recent comments do not represent a new commitment for Japan to defend Taiwan – or a departure from previous policy.

The leader of Japan's main opposition party on Sunday criticized Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for what he described as "rather rash" remarks about Japan's response to a Taiwan contingency, as the comments have grown into a bilateral diplomatic spat.

TOKYO -- China tensions triggered by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent comment on a potential crisis in Taiwan remain high, but two related issues -- Japan acting alongside U.S. forces and its exercise of collective self-defense rights in defending the island -- need to be considered separately, former officials say.

Relations between the two neighbours have soured recently after Takaichi became the first sitting Japanese leader in decades to publicly link a Taiwan Strait crisis with the possible deployment of Japanese troops.

Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a regular conference that Takaichi's remarks attempt to interfere in the situation in the Taiwan Strait, deny the outcomes of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and revive militarism.

The Japanese public is divided over exercising collective self-defense against a Chinese attack on Taiwan. A recent poll shows mixed opinions, while Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi aims to boost defense spending.

China told Japan on Wednesday that it would suspend imports of Japanese seafood, Kyodo News reported, adding pressure to strained ties after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested Japan could take part in a Taiwan crisis.