Taiwan's top envoy to Japan, Lee Yi-yang, has thanked the Japanese public for
"understanding the differences between Taiwanese and Chinese people."

In a social media post, Lee cited recent survey data showing that nearly 75
percent of Japanese respondents feel an affinity toward Taiwan ... in
contrast with a 2024 poll that found 89 percent hold negative views of China.

Lee's remarks followed a Wednesday post by the Taipei Economic and Cultural
Representative Office in Japan that read "Taiwan is Taiwan, not Taiwan
Province."

It was seen as a response to a post by China's ambassador to Japan on Tuesday
that said, "people from all sectors in Taiwan Province are demanding that
Sanae Takaichi apologize for her erroneous remarks."

The so-called erroneous remarks in turn referred to the Japanese prime
minister's Nov. 7 statement in parliament that a Chinese naval blockade of
Taiwan could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan.

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