Balance of Power

Japan’s Diplomatic Offensive Has One Major Gap

Relations with China have been tense since Sanae Takaichi commented on Taiwan.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi waves at Haneda airport as she departs for an official trip to Vietnam and Australia on May 1. — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi waves at Haneda airport as she departs for an official trip to Vietnam and Australia on May 1.Photographer: Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP/Getty Images

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By Erica Yokoyama and James Mayger

May 5, 2026 at 10:01 AM UTC

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Japan’s political leadership took advantage of the holiday week to fan out across the globe and meet allies.