China's foreign ministry spokesperson on May 25 said China's export restrictions on dual-use items like critical minerals to Japan were intended to stop Japan's "remilitarization" and nuclear ambitions. Likewise, seven sources cited by the Financial Times said Chinese President Xi Jinping "became vocal and agitated" when discussing Japan with U.S. President Donald Trump during the latter's May 14-15 visit to Beijing, with Xi criticizing Japan's "remilitarization" in what the sources said was the most heated part of the summit.

Japanese industry minister Ryosei Akazawa spoke only briefly and informally with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Suzhou, China, on May 23, highlighting China's diplomatic freeze with Japan. The dispute originated in November 2025, when Takaichi suggested in the Diet that Japan could intervene if China invaded Taiwan.