South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during his inaugural state visit to the world’s No. 2 economy, just as tensions simmer between Beijing and Tokyo.

Japan is accelerating a military buildup program designed to double annual arms spending. The country also is revising a security and defense policy ahead of schedule while facing China’s growing threat.

The deterioration of ties after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on a possible Japanese military intervention in a Taiwan crisis will test both Tokyo and Beijing’s resolve.

In a conflict, Taipei’s fate would become quickly intertwined with the U.S.-Japan security alliance.

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Cabinet on Friday approved a record defense budget plan exceeding 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) for the coming year, aiming to fortify its strike-back capability and coastal defense with cruise missiles and unmanned arsenals as tensions rise in the region.

The move marks the first time in more than 13 years that a political standoff has disrupted an annual mission to promote economic exchange between Asia's two largest economies.

Shigeru Iwasaki, a former head of Japan's Joint Staff, has been serving as a political adviser to Taiwan since March.

F or nigh on 1,000 years, the Japanese pirates have wreaked havoc…they respect only force, and their hearts are bursting with malice.” This month China’s armed forces released these verses on social media.

Chinese visitor growth to Japan slowed in November to its weakest pace in nearly four years, as Beijing curbed travel amid rising tensions over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan.

Chinese visitors are crucial to Japan's tourism economy, generating about 20% of tourism revenue, and ongoing declines could cost Japan up to $7.7 billion. Despite fewer Chinese tourists, overall inbound tourism to Japan rose 10.4% year-over-year in November, with South Korea becoming the top source market.